how to prune hedges

When pruning mature, overgrown shrubs, remove the thickest branches first. Cut them back to the base of the shrub to promote new growth. Hand pruners are useful for smaller branches. Some can handle diameters up to an inch, but long-handled loppers give you leverage to cut branches 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

1. When should hedges be cut back?
2. How do I prune an overgrown hedge?
3. When can you cut hedges to avoid nesting birds?
4. How often should you trim hedges?
5. Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?
6. Can trimming a bush kill it?
7. Can you trim hedges with a chainsaw?
8. Is it too late to trim bushes?
9. Can my Neighbour cut my hedge down without permission?
10. Do I have to cut my hedge on my neighbor's side?
11. Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?
12. Is it OK to trim hedges in the summer?
13. How can I make my hedges Fuller?
14. What is the best fertilizer for hedges?
15. How far back can you cut shrubs?
16. How much can you cut back bushes?
17. What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter?
18. How do you trim a large bush?
19. What tool do I use to trim bushes?

When should hedges be cut back?

Prune dead branches between March and October to keep your hedge lively and healthy. The pyracantha hedge is a very tough plant which can be trimmed at almost any time. However, ideally, it's best to trim it lightly to your desired shape in spring and again in late summer.

How do I prune an overgrown hedge?

1 Use loppers to remove one-third of the older stems, so sunlight can penetrate the hedge's interior. 2 Find long stems that grow out of hedge, and snip them close to the ground. 3 Where one stem branches into two, cut just above the Y-shaped split. 4 Continue cutting older stems, but leave new growth.

When can you cut hedges to avoid nesting birds?

We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.

How often should you trim hedges?

Pruning less of the plant but more frequently is by far the best for the overall health of it. We recommend every other month, which comes out to be five times per year. This is the sweet spot for pruning and will help keep everything looking and performing its best.

Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?

Trimming a hedge in a wedge shape that is wider at the bottom will make it grow thicker by enabling more even regrowth. Cut back the hedge at the top to steer growth to the sides of your bushes and use organic fertiliser to encourage the plant's development.

Can trimming a bush kill it?

Over pruning reduces the foliage that's available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree, if cuts are made incorrectly. ... So, although pruning may not kill your plant directly, over pruned trees and shrubs can die as a long term result of the associated stress.

Can you trim hedges with a chainsaw?

Chainsaws can cut through bushes, hedges and shrubs with little problem. A chainsaw can be used to trim bushes, hedges and shrubs. While not as effective as a hedge trimmer, a chainsaw can cut fast enough to trim through lighter woods.

Is it too late to trim bushes?

Winter is usually the best time.

Dormant pruning is usually done in late winter, six to 10 weeks before the average last frost in your area. You can prune shrubs at any time of year if it's necessary—for example, to remove broken branches or dead or diseased wood, or to remove growth that is obstructing a walkway.

Can my Neighbour cut my hedge down without permission?

By law you are entitled to cut back the roots and growth of your neighbour's hedges where they cross into your property, however you are not allowed to cut hedges on their property without permission. Similarly, your neighbour can trim your hedge on their property if it is becoming an issue.

Do I have to cut my hedge on my neighbor's side?

Trees or hedges overhanging your property.

If a neighbour's tree or hedge is growing over into your garden, you cannot make them cut it back. However, you do have the right to remove overgrowing branches yourself, but only back to the common boundary. Any cuttings must be offered back to the tree or hedge owner.

Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?

If you own the tree or hedge

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.

Is it OK to trim hedges in the summer?

This comes after it was revealed how summer pruning can help stop your plants become too unruly. Pruning your hedges in summer means they'll hold crisp and trim, not just for the rest of the growing season, but throughout winter. Monty added: “You won't have to cut them until next year.”

How can I make my hedges Fuller?

Trim the shrub annually after the third pruning to remove any dead, broken or diseased branches. Remove one-quarter to one-third of the branches each year to encourage thick, healthy interior growth. Cut back any branches that extend past the desired perimeter of the shrub.

What is the best fertilizer for hedges?

We recommend a 6-7 month slow release fertilizer for most climates. Apex makes a 16-5-9 slow release 6-7 month release, which works great for our hedge varieties. In the Pacific Northwest, you can use a longer-release fertilizer of 8-9 months. For longer release, Osmocote Blend 18-5-12 is a great choice.

How far back can you cut shrubs?

A second way to prune overgrown, deciduous shrubs is to cut them back to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground in March or early April. This severe pruning will induce a large number of shoots to develop during the growing season.

How much can you cut back bushes?

The 1/3 rule can be applied to most shrubs and small ornamental trees, but for larger shade trees, pruning should be limited to no more than 1/4 of the total branches.

What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter?

Hedge Cutters

Whereas trimmers handle the lighter, more delicate jobs when it comes to your hedges, cutters deal with the more heavy-duty work. These are much more robust because they need to deal with a much bigger and usually thicker workload.

How do you trim a large bush?

Using pruners or a pruning saw, you'll cut each of the heaviest stems as close to the ground as possible. This method of managing large shrubs stimulates the plant to produce new growth just below the pruning cut, close to the ground. If you just trim the tops of the shrubs, they will grow even leggier and taller.

What tool do I use to trim bushes?

When it comes to how to prune a shrub, good pruning tools are a must-have. The three pruning tools that will get you through most pruning jobs are hand-held pruners, pruning loppers, and a small curved saw. Pruning shears are available in two basic designs: bypass pruning shears and anvil pruning shears.