When should you cut back a beech hedge?

Is it OK to trim hedges in October?

Late spring, early fall,or winter (when the hedges are fully dormant) are the best times for pruning hedges. Don’t prune hedges during very hot, dry weather, and prune well before your first frost date.

Is it better to trim hedges in spring or fall?

Late winter to early spring or mid- to late summer are some of the best times to prune hedges more drastically.

Should you cut hedges in hot weather?

Generally, hedges tend to have two main growing phases – first in spring and then in summer. It’s best to avoid cutting your hedge down at these times.

Is it OK to trim hedges this time of year?

The very best time, however, is late winter or early spring – although these bushes stay looking green, these are the times when they are lying dormant, so they don’t actually grow. That means you can trim them and they will stay looking neat for potentially months to come.

When should a hedge be cut back hard?

However, there are certain hedges which might require three cuts a year. If you’re wondering when to trim your hedges, it’s usually done sometime between spring and summer. You do, however, have to take into account potential nesting birds as nesting season may run from March to August.

How far back should you cut a hedge?

Remove up to one-third of the thickest stems down at the base of the plant, stimulating new growth; repeat the next year, and the year after. This will leave you with a healthier shrub that’s reduced in size.

Can you cut a hedge back too much?

Trimming hedges can be a tranquil and relaxing task. One that we enjoy in warmer weather and that keeps out hedges healthy and strong. However, it is possible for you to trim your hedge too much, and when this happens you run the risk of killing your hedge or causing permanent damage.

How much can you cut off the top of a hedge?

You can cut both the height and width of your overgrown hedge back by up to 50% in one single cut, however we recommend staggering this process over at least two years, preferably more.

Does trimming the top of a hedge make it grow thicker?

Hedges are formed from upward growing plants, so to encourage a thick hedge the growth tips need to be removed. This encourages the laterals to develop. And clipping the laterals encourages them to also become dense with foliage.

What should a properly trimmed hedge look like?

It’s important to trim the sides of the hedge at an angle, so that it’s wider at the bottom and slightly narrower at the top. That way, sunlight can reach the lower branches and root system, which helps the entire hedge grow green and lush. Pro Tip: Don’t trim hedges in early spring when birds are nesting.

How do you cut a hedge like a pro?

How do you trim a hedge perfectly?

Shear the interior and other obvious problem areas first, then use a power trimmer to refine the shape. Snip overgrown branches and limbs inside each bush. Clear enough space for sunlight and air to pass through and stimulate healthy growth. Make sure to prune the base near the roots as well.

Do you cut sides or top of hedge first?

We recommend starting with the sides of the hedge first and working your way to the top. Cut flat along the tops of hedges up to 10ft tall, with our HT50 Hedge Trimmer using its adjustable cutting head.

How do I make my hedge bushy?

Initially prune immediately after planting by cutting back leading shoots and any side shoots by a third. Make sure you cut to a well-placed bud to encourage fulsome and healthy side growth. Do this again the second winter and you’ll have thwarted any hint of straggly plant and be rewarded with a thick hedge base.

How do you trim hedges with thick branches?

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.

Can I use chainsaw instead of hedge trimmer?

Yes. If you don’t have hedge trimmers, you can try using a chainsaw. However, chainsaws have a much rougher approach, often cutting through hedges too fast and aggressively. Of course, a chainsaw can come in handy if your hedge has thicker branches.