Hedge trimmers in my area? (2023)

How much should I charge to trim hedges?

The average cost of hedge trimming is $65 to $90 per hour, with a national average of $75 per hour. The national average cost for hedge trimming is $75 per hour, with most homeowners paying between $65 to $90 per hour for professional services.

A hedge trimmer can generally cut branches that are about an inch thick. The thickest branch that a hedge trimmer can cut is roughly 2.5 inches, which would be about the maximum reach of their blades.

In theory, you need your neighbours' agreement even before trimming the hedge. If the hedge is just inside your neighbours' garden, they own it. You only have the right to trim any part which encroaches over your boundary line. Your neighbour should ask for your permission for access to trim the hedge on your property.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is the best blade length for a hedge trimmer?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Follow our guide below to make sure you comply with DEFRA rules. You should not cut or trim hedges or trees between the dates of March 1st and September 1st without a derogation. You may only apply for a derogation if you plan to cut hedges before any new grass ley or oil seed rape is sown in the Autumn.

REGULAR PRUNING 2X PER YEAR

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.

With pruning, we use hand pruners and make selective cuts at an angle, where branches meet. Pruning can also include making thinning cuts to tame an overgrown shrub. That is accomplished by cutting entire branches off at the base of the plant.

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.

Ideally, hedge sides are trimmed wider at the base so that the light from the sun can penetrate the leaves at the bottom. Trim chest-high hedges on the sides first. To trim chest-high hedges, cut the sides vertically using an arc-shaped sweeping motion. Start at the back moving forward.

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.

As they are powered by a battery, they give you the freedom to trim your hedges no matter how far away from home you are, and without the hassle of having a cord dragging around. Most modern batteries last between 20 and 40 minutes before needing a re-charge.

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.

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.

Even the heavy-duty hedge trimmers with wider grooves don't have the horsepower to cut through tree branches. Fact is, hedge trimmers can't do the job of more suitable trimming tools like pruning shears or loppers. For the best results, use one of these three essential tools for trimming trees.

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.

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.

Trimming the top encourages the sides to grow out further, thickening your hedge.

Do hedge trimmers need to be sharpened?

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.

1. Pruning shears (or pruners, clippers or secateurs) These are probably the most-used tool when it comes to pruning shrubs, flowers, vines, and small growth on trees. Pruning shears are hand-held and can cut branches and twigs up to ¾ of an inch thick.

Hand pruners or pruning shears are generally used for cutting branches up to 3/4 inch in diameter. There are two basic types of hand pruners. Scissor-types have curved blades that overlap (scissor action) when making the cut.

Pruning Saw

Some tree branches are too thick for conventional loppers and pruners. Big, mature trees usually have branches at least 3 inches in diameter. You're better off using a pruning saw for pruning that requires more effort. A pruning saw is a manual saw with a narrower blade than a conventional wood saw.

It has a built-in battery so it's very easy to use, and is perfectly suited to trimming back annual growth around 8mm thick. It's packed full of features, with a double-sided 20”/50 cm trimmer blade length, integrated cut protection and a screw-on tip protector.

Cut back plants to 15-30cm (6in-1ft) on planting. In summer, trim side branches lightly to encourage bushing out. In the second year (February to March) cut back growth by half. Throughout the second summer, trim side branches to maintain sides that taper towards the top.

How much can a hedge trimmer Cut?

Hedge trimmers can often cut up to 1/2 inch gently. Anything thicker than that should not be trimmed using a hedge trimmer. In any event, it is best to avoid cutting heavy branches too frequently, since this can soon dull your blades.

It typically costs around $65 to $105 per hour to install new trim. Trim installation projects take an average of 6.3 hours to complete, so you're looking at a total labor cost of around $410 to $660.

A trim can also help shape the hair and make it easier to style. A trim is generally cheaper than a typical haircut, as haircuts typically involve: Removing more hair length than a trim.

The average cost for painting trim, crown molding, or baseboards is between $1 and $4 per linear foot. It typically costs between $45 and $200 to paint each side of doors and door trim. To paint window frames and trim, it usually costs $25 to $150 each.

Do not prune deciduous shrubs in late summer. Pruning shrubs in August or early September may encourage a late flush of growth. This new growth may not harden sufficiently before the arrival of cold weather and be susceptible to winter injury.