How to trim a hedge

If you’re a garden enthusiast, it’s important to know how to trim a hedge — especially if you’re a homeowner keen to keep your foliage in check.

Paying for a professional to trim your hedge can be expensive, but if you learn how to do it properly with the best outdoor power tools and techniques to support you, you may well get away with a nice cost saving. Hedge trimming can also lead to improved plant health, a clean-looking garden, and better vegetation growth.

To help you along, we’ve put together a guide that compiles our expert knowledge about hedge trimming, the best hedge trimmers, and a complete step-by-step guide so you can trim a hedge with confidence.

If you’re ready to buy a hedge trimmer for the job, shop our range at ToolStore UK today.

When is the best time to trim a hedge?

Before we dive head-first into the hedge-trimming action, it’s important to understand that the best time to trim a hedge depends on whether it’s evergreen or deciduous (evergreen trees being those which retain their foliage year round).

How often should I trim a hedge?

Once you know the kind of hedge you need to trim, you’ll be well on your way to helping it grow while maintaining its shape.

The best time to trim evergreen hedges

Evergreen hedges include types like box, yew, and privet hedges. These hedges require regular, little-and-often trimming to keep them looking neat and full. 

When to trim formal evergreen hedges

The best time to trim a formal (neatly clipped) evergreen hedge is from spring to late summer. If you trim a formal evergreen hedge outside of this time, you may notice that new growth doesn’t have enough time to acclimate to the weather, resulting in shock from the cold, wind, or sun.

When to trim informal evergreen hedges

The best time to trim an informal (more natural in shape) evergreen hedge is in late spring or early summer. One light trim is usually more than enough to keep it looking relatively neat.

The best time to trim deciduous hedges

Deciduous hedges (these lose their leaves in the autumn), like beech or hornbeam, respond best to trimming during the growing season, between spring and autumn.

When to trim formal deciduous hedges

Formal deciduous hedges should be trimmed from late spring to summer — ideally in or between June and August.

When to trim informal deciduous hedges

Informal deciduous hedges usually require just a single trim in the late summer.

The best time to trim flowering hedges

Hedges with flowers require slightly more regular trimming than non-flowering hedges. As a rule of thumb, you should always trim flowering hedges post-flowering.

However, it does depend on what type of wood they flower on:

  • Hedges that flower on new wood: Prune in late winter or early spring.
  • Hedges that flower on old wood: Trim immediately after flowering.

Can I trim a hedge in winter?

Whether you can trim a hedge in winter depends on how bad the weather is and the type of hedge you’d like to trim.

Deciduous hedges can be pruned in late winter (around February time), as they will still be dormant before new growth. However, we recommend only trimming evergreen hedges in early spring.

What you’ll need before you start

Before you start trimming, you’ll need to make sure you have all the equipment you need for a stress-free process.

Power tools for hedge trimming

There are different types of hedge trimmers available, and your choice will depend on the type and size of your hedge.

  • Makita DUN461WRT 18v Pole Hedge Trimmer: One of the best hedge trimmers for tall hedges, this top-rated cordless hedge trimmer comes with a telescopic, long-reach cutting head for tackling tall hedges and hard-to-reach areas.

Hedge-trimming safety gear

When working with sharp power tools, you must always protect yourself with the correct PPE:

Other essentials

Prepping the hedge (and yourself)

The best way to ensure an efficient and professional-style hedge trim? Preparation. Just a few minutes can help you avoid irreparable mistakes and achieve a polished finish.

  1. Tidy the area

Remove any garden furniture, plant pots, decorations, and debris that may cause obstructions. This can reduce the risk of trip hazards and injuries.

  1. Check for birds

If you’re trimming your hedge between March and August, make sure to check for any active bird nests. It is actually illegal to disturb nesting birds under UK law, so be sure to look out for any signs of nesting. If nesting birds are present, delay your hedge trimming until the birds have flown from the nest.

  1. Inspect your hedge trimmer

Whether your hedge trimmer is new or old, you should always inspect any power tool before use to ensure it is safe and fully operational. Focus on checking that the blades are clean, sharp, and free from damage, and check that the batteries are fully charged if you’re using a cordless power tool.

  1. Put on your safety gear

Grab your PPE and put it on to ensure you’re safe from serious injuries. Use gloves to protect yourself from scratches and eye protection to shield yourself from flying clippings. You may also benefit from ear defenders if your trimmer is particularly noisy.

  1. Plan your approach

When trimming a hedge, you can either start from the top or the sides. 

Trimming from the top is better for tall hedges as this approach prevents cut-offs from settling onto the freshly cut sides. However, if you’re trimming a smaller hedge, you may prefer the more popular method of starting with the sides, followed by a bottom-up approach.

How to trim a hedge: Step-by-step

Follow these three steps to achieve a neat and balanced hedge trim. While there’s a lot of skill and technique that comes with time and practice, you’ll be glad to know that the basics of hedge trimming are relatively straightforward!

Step 1: Start with the sides (unless you’re trimming a tall hedge)

Start by trimming the sides of your hedge to maintain a clean line. It’s best to use long, sweeping motions while holding your trimmer with two hands to prevent jagged or uneven cuts. Avoid using a ‘sawing’ motion at all costs — your hedge trimmer has blades for that, so let them do what they do best.

If you fancy getting a little more specialist, try to taper the hedge as you shape it. This essentially means you’re trimming the hedge wider at the base and narrower at the top. 

Not only does it look more appealing to the eye, but it also serves a practical purpose, allowing the sun to reach the lower branches for even growth.

Step 2: Go to the top

When you’ve finished the sides, start trimming the top of your hedge. Remember to carry on using slow, sweeping motions throughout. If you’re trimming a formal hedge, you could even use a spirit level or a string line as a guide.

Step 3: Step away and adjust

Every so often, step back from the hedge and look at it from a distance. A new perspective can help highlight any uneven edges, heights, or patches. Adjust as needed and focus on trimming away stray growth for best results.

It’s easy to do, but try your best not to overcut the hedge. Cutting back too hard into old wood can harm the plant beyond repair.

This step is sometimes the most time-consuming, as it involves a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. However, it’s a tried and tested way to ensure your hedge looks tidy and even after a trim.

Hedge trimming aftercare and maintenance

Aftercare and maintenance are essential if you want to keep your hedge and hedge trimming tools in the best condition. Here’s how to finish your hedge trimming session:

  • Gather up and dispose of any fallen clippings: Use your rake to collect all of your cuttings, and either compost them or put them in your garden waste bin. Leaving piles of clippings around the base of your hedge can block the sunlight and prevent moisture from reaching the roots.
     
  • Clean and oil your hedge trimmer: Use a cloth to clean off any sap, dirt, or debris from your hedge trimmer blades. You should also apply a coat of oil or lubricant to keep rust at bay and extend the life of your hedge trimmer.
     
  • Store your hedge trimmer properly: Always store your hedge trimmer (and especially battery-powered hedge trimmers) in a dry, indoor environment. Store your batteries separately from your tool i.e. not still connected to the trimmer. Avoid moisture and damp at all costs.
     
  • Schedule your next hedge trim: Make a mental note or write down your next hedge trimming session in a calendar. Use our guide covering the best times to trim a hedge above.

Choosing the right hedge trimmer

Hedge trimmers aren’t a one-size-fits-all. Using the wrong trimmer for your hedge’s size could result in uneven cuts, uneven growth, and even hedge damage. Also, it will probably take you longer, so it’s well worth doing a bit of research to find the best hedge trimmer for your needs.

What’s the difference between Makita and DeWalt hedge trimmers?

At ToolStore UK, we’re proud to offer our customers a variety of power tools from the most popular brands, including DeWalt and Makita.

With our industry experience, we can confidently say that both brands are well-known for their range of hedge trimmers. However, their hedge trimmers do suit different needs and applications. 

DeWalt garden tools, especially their hedge trimmers, are ergonomic, durable, and perfect for heavy-duty cutting. On the other hand, Makita hedge trimmers are better suited to smaller hedge trimming tasks where precision is a priority.

What’s better — a petrol or cordless hedge trimmer?

We think that cordless hedge trimmers offer the very best in terms of usability, eco-friendliness, and low maintenance. There’s no denying that petrol hedge trimmers have an edge in power over cordless hedge trimmers. That said, petrol-powered hedge trimmers tend to be heavy and require a lot of time-consuming servicing and refuelling.

The decision between cordless vs petrol ultimately comes down to how difficult a hedge is to cut, and how often you plan to trim hedges. We’d recommend that professional landscapers invest in a petrol hedge trimmer, and home users go for a cordless hedge trimmer.

Buy the best hedge trimmer from ToolStore UK

Whether you’re looking for an electric hedge trimmer or a cordless hedge trimmer, we have a variety of industry-grade models manufactured by the very best brands on the market.

Enjoy free delivery on all orders over £55 and a 1-year warranty as standard included for all products.


Shop our range today, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require more information.

5th June 2025

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