Hedge trimmer prices? (2023)

How much do hedge trimmers cost?

The national average cost of a hedge trimmer is $145 depending on the type of trimmer you choose. On the lower end, a manual hedge trimmer will cost between $15 and $55 on average, while on the higher end, a gas hedge trimmer can cost between $210 and $500.

They're worth buying if you have overgrowth that's too thick for a string trimmer but using a chainsaw would be overkill. Hedge trimmers can cut branches as thick as about an inch. They do that with an oscillating bar of a fixed length, with precut grooves on either side of the blade.

Hedge trimmers are specially designed for the super thin, lightweight twigs and leaves of a hedge or bush. Their grooves are about ¾ of an inch to half an inch wide at most, and when you compare that to the size of your tree's branches, it's just not the right fit.

Battery Voltage

The higher the voltage, typically, the more cells that are in the battery pack. So when comparing a 40V pack to a 20V pack, in most cases the 40V pack will have more cells which means more power capacity available.

Formative pruning is usually carried out in winter or early spring. After this, maintenance trimming is carried out, usually once a year for informal hedges and twice a year for formal hedges. Some formal hedges may need three cuts a year. Maintenance trimming is generally carried out between spring and summer.

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.

What is the difference between a hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter? Usually, hedge trimmers are used for 'light work' on branches and bushes. Tidying up and shaping shrubs is another of their functions. However, heavy-duty work is more suited to hedge cutters, for example, breaking down big branches and thicker bushes.

The three main kinds are corded electric, cordless battery-powered and petrol hedgetrimmers, each of which will suit the needs of different users. Corded Electric Hedgetrimmers: Corded hedgetrimmers are generally best suited to use in smaller gardens because they require access to a mains power source.

Are corded or cordless hedge trimmer better?

In general, for gardens with lots of hedging and shrubs that need to be looked after, the corded electric hedge trimmer would get the job done that much quicker. For smaller areas and areas of the yard that corded models could't reach, the cordless model would do the job very well.

You must NEVER overstretch or stand on tip-toes to cut high twigs and branches. In fact, as a rule, your hedgetrimmer should never be raised above head height. If you decide to use a ladder or step-ladder PLEASE make sure it is stable.

Hedge trimmers are multi-purpose instruments that may be used for more than just shaping hedges. They're also useful for getting rid of overgrown grass, weeds, shrubs, and bushes.

A chainsaw provides the cleanest cut when you're dealing with limbs thicker than 3 inches. If your pruning job requires a chainsaw, it's recommended that you contact a certified arborist. A pole pruner allows you to cut branches that are beyond your reach. Most pole pruners cut limbs up to 2 inches in diameter.

Voltage: Most battery-powered hedge trimmers have an 18 to 80-volt battery. However, most high-performing hedge trimmer batteries are at least 40 volts.

You can generally use a higher capacity battery (that is one with more amp hours and thus run time) but the battery itself has to be 20 volts. Higher voltages will destroy the tool.

Battery: Usually, the battery voltage of cordless hedge trimmers ranges between 20 to 60 volts. Higher voltage means efficient and powerful trimmer. You can choose based on your trimming requirements.

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.

A hedge should last at least 30 years, and some gardens have hedges 100 years old or more. Partly it depends on the plants used – if they can be trimmed hard back they can have a longer life – but it also depends on the maintenance given, and how the hedge was developed when young.

Wildlife Protection

The months of March through to the end of July is the breeding season for birds and as far as hedge cutting is concerned is considered a closed season and unless there exists unavoidable health and safety concerns hedge cutting during this season should be avoided.

What month should you 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.

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.

For light work, such as trimming grass, 0.065″-0.085″ should be sufficient. For thicker grass and weeds, a line in the 0.085″-0.110″ range will get the job done, and for thicker underbrush, anything thicker than 0.110″ will work.

There are two types of string trimmers models– curved shaft and straight shaft. Curved shaft models are lighter weight and best suited for smaller yards and more intricate work. Straight shaft models work better for larger yards, and for reaching under decks and around obstacles.

Double-sided hedgetrimmers are usually easier to handle than their single-sided equivalents, especially as you can quickly change the direction of cut when working on tricky corners or unusually shaped shrubs.

Depending on the model and the brand, they have a runtime between 40 and 60 minutes. The latest GTech hedge trimmer HT50, for example, lasts up to 60 minutes, depending on the types of hedges you have to trim.

Follow. It is worth remembering that excessive fatigue, as well as the effects of vibration on hands and arms can cause problems, reduce alertness and attention and many experts suggest each period of work should be no more than thirty to forty minutes, followed by a rest period of between ten and twenty minutes.

The blade length of a trimmer will determine the width of hedge you can cut with it. For a smaller hedge, blades between 30cm to 40cm should be sufficient, but if you're regularly cutting more mature hedges, look for models with longer blades of 50cm plus.

How do you trim bushes without a hedge trimmer?

The tool of choice here is a pair of hand pruners, or even your fingertips. As you cut back the new growth, it will stimulate overall plant growth and give a fuller shape to the shrubs. Even at this stage, though, take some pains to begin trimming back the upper branches a bit shorter than the lower branches.

You can use a manual hedge trimmer, that works like a big scissor, a gas-powered trimmer or an electric trimmer, with or without a cord. The purpose for all of these trimmers is to help you maintain your hedges and bushes, but using an electric hedge trimmer may be the easiest and fastest choice.

As such, we recommend sharpening after every 50 hours of use or so, to ensure consistent cutting performance and to enable you to enjoy your hedge trimmer for a long time to come. You can also find all the important information you need about sharpening your hedge trimmer in the operating instructions.

Hands down, gas powered hedge trimmers are more powerful, making them better for larger jobs. You also don't have to worry about having extra batteries while you are on a bigger hedge trimming project. Simply keep gas and oil on hand and you can trim for hours and hours on end.

INSTRUCTIONS: SHARPENING YOUR HEDGE TRIMMER

Ideally, sharpening should be done before the blades show too many visible signs of wear, we recommend sharpening every 50 hours of use or so, this is to ensure consistent cutting performance and to enable you to enjoy your Hedge Trimmer for as long as possible.

Cutting Capabilities

A hedge trimmer is designed for trimming and shaping hedges, shrubs, and other plants with woody stem up to about 5/8 of an inch thick. A chainsaw, on the other hand, is much more powerful and can cut through much thicker material, making it better suited for felling trees or cutting firewood.

DON'T use a mains-powered trimmer if the grass or hedge is wet – moisture and electricity don't make good bedfellows, and you could be in for a shock! DO wear goggles.

It depends on what you're looking for. Electric trimmers are cheap and easy to use but are constrained by their length of cord. Cordless models give greater freedom but only last as long as the battery charge. Petrol hedge trimmers are the most powerful, but are noisy and need regular maintenance.

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.

The tool of choice here is a pair of hand pruners, or even your fingertips. As you cut back the new growth, it will stimulate overall plant growth and give a fuller shape to the shrubs. Even at this stage, though, take some pains to begin trimming back the upper branches a bit shorter than the lower branches.

How long do cordless trimmers last?

A shaver or trimmer's battery life will vary according to the frequency and length of use. In general if the battery is charged once a month, the service life will be approximately 3 years.

According to product manuals, you need to sharpen your blades regularly after about 50 hours of use. That's a lot of use for the typically homeowner. You may not want to keep up with the hours, so just be conscious of how your trimmer is cutting.

As such, we recommend sharpening after every 50 hours of use or so, to ensure consistent cutting performance and to enable you to enjoy your hedge trimmer for a long time to come. You can also find all the important information you need about sharpening your hedge trimmer in the operating instructions.

When a hedge grows over 2m (6½ft), the local authority does not automatically take action, unless a justifiable complaint is made. The law can not be used as a preventative measure – the hedge must already be above 2m (approx 6½ft) tall and impairing reasonable enjoyment.

Ironically, even though the branches belong to your neighbour, you cannot simply throw them back over his fence. That could be deemed to be fly tipping of garden waste. Advise your neighbour that you intend to burn them or take them to a recycling centre.

Lubricating the Hedge Trimmer Blades with WD-40. After you are done cleaning your hedge trimmer and have thoroughly dried off any residue, you should also remember to lubricate the blades. To do so, get your hands on a dry cloth and use it to reapply a coat of WD-40 on the blades with an even distribution.

An established hedge quickly re-establishes when cut back hard, but it is really a waste of its height and it takes extra time to re-grow, so hedges are usually only cut back part-way. The sides can be cut back too - a process known as "splitting" a hedge.