Pruning your Hedges – Four Top Tips to Know before You Start

Articles on Hedges | Topics: hedges, hedge, bushes, bush

by Hazel Irwin

Pruning your hedges may seem like an easy task, until you actually take it on. In truth, the difficulty of the task lies in the type of hedge you own. If you have a hedge that is slow growing, you may only need to trim it a little each year. However, if you have a hedge that quickly gets out of control, you may find yourself heading for the trimmers every week! Before you begin trimming however, consider these four top tips most landscapers and gardeners never forget.

Get the Proper Tools

Part of the preparation before you begin trimming your hedge revolves around the proper tools. If you are going to attempt pruning yourself, you must have a few necessary items to use. First, be sure that you always have protective gloves and safety goggles. When you prune, it is easy for twigs and sprouts to fly unexpectedly toward your face. When this happens, you want to be prepared and not be harmed. Although it may seem excessive, having the proper safety tools is a very important part of trimming a hedge.

Secondly, you will need to have the right type of trimmer. If you are only doing minor snips here and there, a small hand trimmer will work fine. If you are stuck pruning a large area however, you may want to consider an electric or gasoline powered trimmer. Sure these trimmers are bulkier and can be more of a pain to deal with at first, but when pruning a large area, they are lifesavers. It is up to you on which type to choose ultimately. Cordless electric trimmers with rechargeable batteries are one of the best choices however. They can be purchased in lightweight models as well, making them handier than ever before.

Know Your Hedge's Growth Patterns

An important step in pruning or trimming is to know when to do it. If you are up to date on the growing patterns of your hedge species, then you will have little trouble deciding when trimming is necessary. For instance, some hedges must be pruned at specific times of year for best growth. New hedges should not reach maturity before their first trim. You should trim them immediately after you notice new growth to stimulate the process.

Needle evergreen hedges are very easy to deal with and typically require only one pruning a year. It is best to do this in the spring season. Broadleaf evergreens however may require numerous trimmings, as they grow throughout the year. Deciduous hedges may also need to be trimmed several times throughout the summer months.

Historical Quote

Strong currents drag many stones and bushes along with them, strong intellects many dense and muddled minds.

—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

Knowing exactly what your hedge requires is essential before trimming. If you trim your hedge too often, you will end up with a dying plant. If you don't trim it often enough, it could really get out of control or not look as healthy as you would like.

Take It Slow

Probably the most important thing to remember when trimming your hedges is to take it slow. So many people will rush through the job and end up dissatisfied with the result. Remember, once you make a snip, it cannot be taken back. If you are unsure about any area, leave it for a while and re-evaluate it later. Make sure you step back several times throughout the trimming to make sure what you are doing is symmetrical and necessary. Only trim areas that are necessary. You should always have a purpose when trimming. Don't just go at your best hedge because you have nothing else to do in the yard.

Get Help

Part of trimming your hedges responsibly means that you know when you are over your head. If you are dealing with a stubborn hedge or an extremely large hedge, be sure to ask for help. Ask a friend to assist you or better yet, hire a professional. If you try to trim large hedges on your own, you could injure yourself by falling. Be sure to always trim responsibly and never be afraid to ask for help. Doing so will ensure your safety. It will also ensure that your hedges look flawless and beautiful. Anytime you are unsure about something, don't hesitate to ask a local expert for their opinion on trimming as well.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Pruning your Hedges – Four Top Tips to Know before You Start" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com.

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