Trimming hedges can be a tricky job, but you can make life a lot easier for yourself if you have the right equipment.
If you're wondering how to cut a hedge, you've come to the right place. We're going to run through with you a step-by-step guide to tell you everything you need to know in order to be able to trim hedges, as well as all the equipment that you'll need to do the job properly and safely.
Obviously there are many different types of hedge, and for some you may need to use different cutting or trimming techniques, but the advice we are offering below will apply to most hedges, whether they are formal hedges or informal hedges, deciduous hedges or evergreen hedges, fast-growing or slow.
If you are looking to start growing young hedges, you may find our blog 'How to grow hedging plants' useful - and when you have a garden full of tall hedges, you can come back to this one!
What Hedge Trimming Equipment Do You Need?
Trimming hedges can be a tricky job, but you can make life a lot easier for yourself if you have the right equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
There are two main pieces of protective equipment that you are going to need - safety goggles and thick gloves. The goggle will protect your eyes from any shards of branches or leaves that fly off, and your gloves from the sharp exposed ends of branches as you work. Make sure you have a pair of comfortable gardening gloves, so you can move with ease. Sturdy boots are also recommended.
Tools to Cut a Hedge
Here is a list of the tools you will need:
- Electric hedge trimmers or garden hand shears - for hedge cutting. Use electric hedge trimmers for large hedges, whereas hand shears can be used for smaller hedges
- Secateurs, Loppers or similar cutting tools - for pruning hedges
- Chainsaw (only if it you are working on very overgrown hedges - otherwise a hedge trimmer will suffice)
- Ladder or Step Ladder if working at a height. Don't stretch to reach.
Equipment For Cleaning Up Hedge Trimmings
Clearing after cutting hedges up is a very important part of the process, so get prepared for it before you make a start. make sure you have:
- Rake - to collect all of the leaves and branches in a pile
- Shovel or spade - to lift all the cuttings
- Tarpaulin - place this on the ground below where you're cutting to make clearing up easier
- Leaf blower - these can be useful to gather leaves that have blown away from the area, but not essential
- Garden shredder - only needed for really large hedges
Step-by-Step Guide to Trimming a Hedge
Once you have all of the right equipment, it's time to get started!
Step 1: Assessing Your Hedge
The main thing you need to check for is nesting birds. It is an offence to damage birds nests (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981), so if you discover any, you will not be able to start trimming your hedges until you are sure the birds have left. Nesting season is usually from March to August in the UK.
Have a walk along your hedge and see how even your hedge is. Are some sections growing quicker than others? In order to get a nice straight edge, check to see which bits are sticking out the most - that is the area that you should use as your guide when it comes to deciding how far back to cut. You just want the new growth to go, from the last year or so.
Growth rates can vary in hedging by species, or by root type, so check to see what you are dealing with before you start cutting. If you have flowering hedges check to see when they are due to flower, and make sure you cut your hedge after they have started top die back.
Step 2: Prepare the Area for Cutting Your Hedge
Next, make sure the area is clear by removing any obstacles. Lay down your tarpaulin to collect your offcuts, and make sure your ladder is secure if you are losing one. In terms of how to cut a hedge straight, you can also use a garden line and spirit level. Mark out your shape, and the line will act as a guide.
Hedge pruning might help at this stage, if you have any large branches sticking out.
Step 3: Start Cutting From the Ground Upwards
Start work on the sides of your hedge. Keep the blades parallel to the edge of the hedge, and cut in an arc shape, if using electric trimmers. The main thing you want to avoid is having your hedge wider at the top than at the bottom - this will prevent light from getting to the lower areas of your hedge and could cause issues. It's much easier to start on the sides and then work on the top.
Step 4: Checking Your Progress Regularly
This is very important to remember - every now and then you should stand back and see how you're getting on. Are you following the right angles? Can you see any bare patches? Are you following the markers you made?
Put yourself in positions that people will usually see your hedge and see how it's looking.
Step 5: Clearing Your Garden Hedge Trimmings
Now you can benefit from your preparation. First use your rake to dislodge any cutting that remain in the hedge, which would otherwise be blocking the light. Gather up all the cuttings on the floor - then you can use a large bag for managing garden waste, ready for collection from your council, or add to your compost.
How to cut hedges - Conclusion
Cutting garden hedges can be relatively straightforward when you know what you're doing. You don't have to look out at an overgrown hedge for months on end, if you follow our advice above you know everything you need to know about how to cut a hedge.
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