We all love perfectly-trimmed hedges fencing our homes, which not only act as a shield against trespassers but also add to the aesthetic value of the property. But when they get overgrown and become unmanageable, they become quite the pain for us! There’s a lot to learn whether you’ve just bought a home with hedges or you’re getting ready to give your hedge its first haircut. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about hedge trimming techniques and tools in Canterbury (and how to use them).
Difference between a hedge trimmer & a hedge cutter
Looking for hedge trimming equipment can be overwhelming, owing to the sea of choices available in the New Zealand market today. However, two of the most common (and often confused) equipments are the hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter.
A hedge trimmer and a hedge cutter aren’t interchangeable. So you will need one or the other, or even both, depending on your hedges.
Hedge Trimmers
Although often used interchangeably with hedge cutters, in reality, hedge trimmers are used mostly for lighter jobs, such as giving the final touches to your tree trimming project. Your hedge trimmers can help you shape your hedges to perfection after you’ve given them a good trim.
Hedge Cutters
Hedge cutters, on the other hand, are meant for large-scale hedge cutting. They can be used when your hedge looks overgrown or is particularly woody and untidy. Thanks to their larger blades, they are well-suited for cutting larger branches.
Hedge trimming in Canterbury requires a lot of work, but only the right equipment can take it to its deserving results, therefore, making a big difference to your lawn. Not sure which one you need? Get in touch with your local arborist and lawn care expert for correct guidance.
DIY hedge trimming by hand
Planning for hedge trimming DIY in Canterbury? Great! Before getting started remember that trimming hedges aren’t the same as pruning your shrubs or trees. In order to shape and prune your hedges correctly for both their form and health, you must, first, begin by familiarizing yourself with their growth patterns. Hedges should always look covered with thick foliage so that they look “full” and dense. It gives out a healthy vibe.
Keep the hedge crown narrower than its base, and flare the sides of the hedge outwardly. Owing to its unusual form, the lower branches of your hedges will always receive adequate sunlight, allowing them to grow and fill out your hedge. But there’s more to it than that. String guidelines are an important part of learning how to hand-trim hedges. Without them, you may end up with a less-than-perfect hedge that you’d prefer to get rid of entirely.
Insert wooden stakes on both sides of the hedgerow and connect each of the tips with strings. This will help you to maintain the parameter as you start trimming through the edges.
Start from the top
When hedge trimming in Canterbury, begin from the top to make them look completely flat – you can take the support of guide strings. The sides can then be trimmed to make even planes along your guide strings. If you have any thin spots, the haircut will almost certainly encourage new growth to fill them in.
Finally, go for the hedge ends. You can square these up for aesthetic reasons, or you can get creative and angle them inwards like the hedge sides.
Why do you need to trim hedges?
You’ll soon discover that a pair of scissors isn’t enough to keep your hedges trimmed. In fact, having a variety of tools in your toolkit will allow you to achieve both health and visual appeal in each cut.
Hedge trimmers, as previously stated, are suitable for light trimming. You can also use hedge cutters to take care of the larger branches and more detailed cuts. Remember to bring a stepladder, string, a tape measure, stakes, and a hammer for those tall hedges, as well as string, a tape measure, stakes, and a hammer to ensure your hedge is uniform.
Levelling your hedges
Levelling your hedges is not easy. Even if you have an eye for detail you’ll think that once you are over your DIY hedge trim, take a step back and you’ll notice the unevenness. Trust us – it’s quite common.
As previously stated, using string as a guide has numerous advantages. Cut within the hedge’s parameters by boxing it in with your string at the top and bottom. You may not get your hedge perfectly level and uniform, but it will look far better than if you just wing it and hope for the best.
What to use for trimming taller hedges
If you have a higher hedge and want to trim it, you may do it in a number of ways that suit your needs and preferences as well as your budget. Have a look at these potential solutions:
Hedge trimmer with an extended pole
There are hedge trimmers available that have an extended pole, allowing you to trim tall hedges without resorting to a ladder. Powering them with electricity or gas, they are often user-friendly and simple to operate.
Ladder and handheld hedge trimmer
This method is more conventional, and it entails using a ladder to access the top of the hedge and a portable trimmer to remove any overgrown limbs. Whilst this strategy saves money compared to purchasing an extended pole hedge trimmer, it is more time-consuming and potentially risky to operate.
Telescopic hedge shears
They function similarly to electric hedge trimmers with an extended pole but are manually controlled. If you prefer a quieter tool or don’t want to deal with the hassle of maintaining a powered trimmer, they are a suitable alternative.
If your hedge is really tall and out of reach, or if you are uncomfortable working at heights or with power equipment, you may want to consider hiring a professional tree trimming service. They have the training and tools necessary to cut tall hedges without risk to themselves or others.
Conclusion
Now that you have some idea about the basic tips and precautions for hedge trimming in Canterbury, we hope you’re ready to delve into your project. Knowledge is everything! So, you might realise midway through ur (hedge-trimming job) that you’re already a pro, OR you’re in need of a professional. If the latter one is true then feel free to get in touch with us today and we’ll help you achieve your dream goals.