It is best to sweep the green clippings together with a fan broom or remove them with a cordless blower, such as the STIHL BGA 56. If leftovers remain on the lawn, they will obstruct its growth and may result in bald spots. Collect green wasteĪfter hedge trimming, remember to dispose of the clippings. The trained stem will follow the cane and grow in place. For a larger space, fix a bamboo cane or other support across the gap and tie a nearby branch into it. Small gaps will quickly close up if they get enough light – so remove some surrounding branches or other growth that is shading the gap. The solution for improving fullness in the appearance of a hedge is generally simple: plenty of light. Leave the main stem alone until the hedge has reached its intended height, and cut all other stems back by up to half. In its second year after planting, you can trim the hedge back to the shape you want. When you plant a new hedge, it doesn’t need trimming initially. Trimming and pruning young hedging plants In any case, always ensure that the hedge is not wider at the top than the bottom, as if the bottom is too narrow it will suffer from being constantly in shade. This is to ensure that light reaches the lower branches, otherwise they will lose their leaves for good. A wedge for your hedgeįor a lush look from top to bottom, go for a slightly wedged shape when trimming your hedge: wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. You should step back every so often to check from a distance how the hedge is shaping up – this makes it easier to see if you are actually trimming straight or not. Hold the hedge trimmer level as you work. This could be the edge of the lawn or a kerbstone – or alternatively, you could put up a taut string between two stakes to keep you in line. How to trim your hedge straightįor a good straight cut, it’s helpful to have a guide edge to follow that runs parallel to the hedge. The same applies if it is too cold, so if when spring comes you are still regularly experiencing sub-zero temperatures, do not trim your hedge: the cuts will take a long time to heal and the cold will weaken thinner branches. The ideal weather for hedge trimmingĭo not trim your hedge when it is too hot or sunny, as there is a danger that the freshly cut surfaces will dry out and die. The only exception to this rule is the yew, which can withstand even brutal pruning.ĭo be aware that some plants, such as thuja and yew, can trigger allergic skin reactions, so you should always wear gloves when trimming these hedges. Take care with conifers here though, as they will not put out new growth if you cut them all the way back to the wood. The only way to rejuvenate an irregular, patchy or misshapen hedge is with radical hard trimming and then reshaping. Leave main stems to grow until the hedge reaches the desired height. On side shoots only, cut back new growth by two thirds. These rules are very important for protecting wildlife, but they don’t prevent you from trimming your hedge: just be certain there are no nests in it first. There are legal considerations that must be taken into account when trimming hedges: in the UK, the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 states that you may not cut a hedge back if you know there is a nest present, and if cutting the hedge will damage or disturb the nest. Pruning at the end of summerĪugust is the right time to trim your beech, privet and evergreen hedging beware with conifers though, as leaving trimming too late after this month can cause permanently bare patches. But remember, this second trimming should be light, and just for the purposes of keeping your hedging tidy. Many hedges also get a second flush of flowers in summer, and these can be trimmed again after blooming at the end of June or start of July if it is not too hot. Make sure you don’t disturb any nesting creatures when you do so. To prune flowering hedges such as forsythia, viburnum and jasmine, you’ll need to wait until later in spring, letting the plants flower before you get to trimming.
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