A well-pruned hedge can instantly increase a garden’s size and beauty. Reducing a hedge will also create a clear boundary of your property. All mature hedges should be trimmed and shaped to retain their look and health.
Firstly, the species of the hedge should be checked by Target Trees. Some hedges cannot be reduced and may require removal.
Overgrown hedges require a more powerful and efficient tool due to stems being too wide.
What is hedge reduction / hedge cutting?
Hedge reduction (not to be confused with hedge trimming) involves reducing the overall height by trimming the stems back. By reducing the height, the front, back and sides are then balanced.
Usually, a reduction is calculated as a percentage. Reductions of up to 50% can be achieved whilst maintaining the natural shape and health of the hedge.
A hedge species will define the maximum area of hedge reduction it can tolerate.
What are the reasons for hedge reduction?
Hedge reduction is undertaken to cut back a bush to be more maintainable (where hedge trimming is introduced). Therefore, it is a common but simple arborist technique.
Here are some reasons why hedge trimming may be required.
- Improving the appearance of a hedge;
- Reduces overgrowth onto paths, walls and driveways;
- Creating a boundary line of a property;
- Increase light and space for plants below or around the hedge
Although a garden enthusiast can attempt hedge reduction, it is worth checking with a professional arborist the method. If the hedge is reduced too much, it can lead to decay of the shrub.
When is the best time to reduce a hedge?
Around April is the best time to implement hedge reduction if it is overgrown. Cutting back in this period will promote regrowth and balance. It is at this time the hedge will become more manageable. All reductions and trims should first be in accordance with their species.
Take into consideration the surrounding of the hedge:
- Are there any fences that surround them?
- Are they prone to a high wind load?
- What other plants surround these hedges?
A well-shaped hedge can protect itself and nearby plants. Wildlife is also known to nest in these areas.
To maintain the hedge, it is usually then pruned once or twice a year when needed. We recommend doing this early autumn and early spring.
Our highly regarded tree surgeons can advise on all manners of hedge reduction and trimming.
Not only is a well-maintained hedge a landscaping statement, but it can also define the boundary of your property and shape your garden. All hedges require trimming to retain their shape, this keeps them looking tight and thick.
No matter the species, height or size of hedge, Target Trees can advise on how to fulfil ideal results. Our expert arborist can perform in the domestic and commercial environments, with informal or formal styles of a hedge.
Our hedge trimming equipment is of the highest quality, wielded by master craftsmen – even on hedges that have been forgotten about.
What is hedge trimming?
Hedge trimming (not to be confused with hedge reduction) involves pruning the outer areas of the shrub height and spread. The idea is to maintain a natural-looking shape without reducing the overall size.
A hedge species will define the maximum area hedge trimming it can tolerate.
What are the reasons for hedge trimming?
Hedge trimming is undertaken to style and remove the obstruction from overgrowth. Therefore, it is a simple yet common arborist practice.
Here are some reasons why the trimming of hedges may be required.
- Style a hedge to be more pleasing to the eye;
- Remove obstructions to a path and driveways;
- Clear lines of boundaries on a property.
Although hedge trimming can be undertaken by a garden enthusiast, it is advisable to check with an expert arborist to ensure it’s not trimmed too far back. There is nothing worse than taken too much off and trying to correct the rest of the hedge.
Our Norwich based arborists are skilled at shaping and levelling a clear line on hedges whilst trimming.
When is it best to trim a hedge?
Fresh new hedges, for the first years of their life, will always require regular pruning as the hedge develops and grows. Pruning hedges in this manner usually in the late winter or early spring. The benefits of regular hedge pruning will encourage growth and balance the shape of the shrub.
After this first couple of years, maintaining the hedge trimming is once a year. For a more formal hedge, two to three cuts over the year will suffice. This is usually moved to the late spring and late summer periods.
It is vital to equally trim all sides of a hedge to maintain shape and give the shrub balance. Even if the areas are hard to reach.
Our trained tree surgeons use up to date arborist tools to help reach the hard to access areas.
