Do gardeners trim hedges?

New hedges require formative pruning for their first couple of years after planting. 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.

What is it called when you trim bushes?

Topiary is the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, whether geometric or fanciful. The hedge is a simple form of topiary used to create boundaries, walls or screens.

Why do gardeners prune the hedges?

Its role is to establish apical dominance and to inhibit lateral bud growth. That is why gardeners periodically trim the plants so the plant grows laterally and stays bushy after the auxin has been removed. These buds are embryonic meristematic cells that are maintained in the dormant state by the auxin.

What do gardeners use to trim bushes?

For larger shrubs and small trees, a long-handled pruner is essential for cutting the thick stems. We use two main types in our home garden, a hand shear with long blade and handles, and the long handled pruner (aka “lopper”). Long bladed hedging shears work well for trimming evergreen shrubs and hedges.

What month do you trim hedges?

Ideally, hedges should be pruned in late winter, when plants are dormant and haven’t produced buds—particularly if you’re cutting back drastically. “You don’t want them to break bud before you prune because you want the plant’s energy to go toward producing new growth where you want it,” says Roger.

How far back can I trim my hedges?

Don’t cut too far from or too close to the bud you want to encourage. Don’t cut branches flush against the trunk. Don’t cut more than one-fourth of the plant’s height in any one season. Don’t be afraid to prune — your plant actually needs it to remove dead wood and to take on the shape you want.

How far back can you trim hedges?

Do Landscapers trim bushes?

Some landscape companies might sell you shrub trimming services with every maintenance visit, but you could end up spending way more money than is necessary. Be sure the pro you hire to maintain your landscape considers what type of shrubs are growing on your property so they can get the level of care they need.

When should you not cut hedges?

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 do you trim a hedge bush?

Begin by using hand shears to clear out dead wood and thin the top of the shrub. You should remove about one- fourth of old growth branches every year by cutting them off at the ground. Next, it is important to trim hedges so that the bottom of the hedge is wider than the top.

Can I cut my hedge in April?

Hedge cutting and the law We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. If someone is cutting a hedge during this period, speak to them and politely mention the risk to birds’ nests, and the laws protecting nests.

When should you not trim hedges?