How to Trim Hedges and Bushes

Whether you’re neatening up a small front garden or tackling a towering hedge at the back of your property, knowing how to trim hedges and bushes properly can make a world of difference.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from which hedge trimmers and tools to choose, to the best time of year to cut. Whether it’s your first time or you’re simply brushing up on the basics, we’ve got you covered!

• Start by trimming the sides of your hedge, shrub or bush, tapering them so that the base is wider than the top (the ‘A-shape’ technique). Taking this approach will ensure sunlight reaches the bottom of the plant.
• Move on the top, using a line to guide a neat trim.
• For most hedge plants, the best time to prune is late spring and again in late summer – though it can vary depending on the species.
• Find out more in our guide on when to cut hedges

From light bush or hedge trimming to the more drastic hedge removal, you’re going to need different garden tools to get each job done properly:

• Secateurs: Also known as pruning shears, secateurs are basically scissors you use in the garden. They are ideal for the little hedge cutting and bush trimming tasks, taking just a bit off to smarten them up. Secateurs are perfect for branches up to 2cm thick.
• Loppers: Loppers are essentially long handled secateurs, but capable of tackling thicker branches. The longer the handles, the less effort you have to put in yourself. Use loppers for any branches up to around 5cm in diameter.
• Curved saw: For thicker branches, use a saw with a curved blade. For best results, do long, slow strokes – making use of the whole blade. Even the thickest branches won’t stand a chance.
• Shears: Think of your shears as a bigger version of scissors, great for the more intensive hedge cutting task, like cutting back overgrown hedges.
• Hedge trimmers: Unlike the other tools, hedge trimmers are devices designed to make hedge trimming easy. Their steel blades are powered by electricity, petrol, or batteries, making them perfect for tidying up your largest hedges and bushes.

With your tools ready, it’s time to get stuck in. But before you start snipping, it's important to keep a few key tips in mind.

For example, you should check for signs of nesting wildlife, as disturbing or destroying an active nest is a criminal offence (be sure to read more about hedge trimming laws if you’re unsure). You should also feed the base of your shrubs with compost or a slow-release fertiliser before trimming, particularly at the start of the growing season.

Before you even lift your shears or turn on your trimmer, take a moment to assess the shape and size of the hedge or bush you're about to trim. If it’s a formal hedge, aim for a clean and symmetrical finish. For informal hedges, it’s more about maintaining natural shape while encouraging healthy regrowth. Also make note of any overgrown or misshapen areas you want to target first.

Want to make the clean-up quick and easy? Make sure you’ve got a heavy-duty tarpaulin sheet laid down at the base of the hedge or shrub you’re going to be trimming. It’ll neatly capture the leaves and clippings as you cut them, allowing you to easily dispose of them when you’re done.

Once you’re ready, start by shaping the sides. For best results, cut so the base of the hedge is slightly wider than the top – in an ‘A-shape’. Top-heavy hedges shade their own lower branches, which leads to thin growth and bare patches at the bottom. By creating an ‘A-shape,’ you ensure that sunlight reaches the lower branches, promoting even growth and a fuller appearance.

“If you’re using a cordless hedge trimmer, like the HT50, keep the blade moving in wide, steady arcs. Don’t rush - this is where a smooth, consistent finish makes all the difference.. If the motor sounds like it’s straining, stop and check for ‘woody’ stems. We designed the HT50 to cut through 25mm-thick branches, while the optional branch cutter can go through 60mm-thick branches. We wanted to give gardeners more versatility from a single tool.” – Nick Grey, Gtech Founder and Inventor]

Work your way up to the top of your hedge. Work slowly and evenly, keeping your blade parallel to the top of the hedge. If your hedge is tall, use a trimmer with an adjustable cutting head to make the job easier and safer.

“It’s surprisingly easy to lose your line once you start hedge trimming. If you’re struggling to keep the top straight, don’t guess – use a string line. Drive two wooden stakes into the ground at either end of your hedgerow and pull the string taut between them. It gives you a perfect level to follow every time.” – Nick Grey, Gtech Founder and Inventor

Once the hedge trimming is done, clear away any fallen clippings from around the base. This prevents rot and gives you a clean finish. Step back and look at your work from a few angles to spot any uneven areas. If necessary, a final tidy-up with hand shears or secateurs can help polish off the look.

There isn’t really a specific hedge cutting season. Instead, the best time to prune depends on the species and whether you are maintaining a formal or informal look.

• Formal Hedges: To keep lines crisp and sharp, these typically need a trim twice a year. We recommend a first cut in late spring or early summer (after the first flush of growth) and a second ‘tidy-up’ in late summer or September to prepare for autumn and ensure they stay neat through the winter.
• Informal Hedges: These are usually trimmed once a year, ideally in July or August after they have finished flowering and any nesting birds have fledged.

While these rules of thumb work for many gardens, specific plants have narrow windows to ensure they stay healthy, vibrant and thriving. For example, the best time to cut a beech hedge is in August to help with winter leaf retention, while box (Buxus) hedges benefit from a May/June and September schedule.

“It’s best to avoid hedge cutting or bush trimming in rainy weather, especially if you’re using electric hedge trimmers. Always aim for a dry day. If it’s a particularly hot summer day, try to work in the early morning or the late afternoon – this prevents the freshly cut edges from ‘browning’ in the midday sun and keeps you from overexertion.” – Nick Grey, Gtech Founder and Inventor]

One of the most important rules for late-season trimming is to avoid cutting when a frost is forecast. Trimming stimulates a small amount of new growth. If a frost hits shortly after you’ve cut, it can damage these fresh ‘wounds’ and the new shoots, leading to unsightly brown patches. Be sure to check the 5-day forecast before you autumn tidy-up to ensure you hedge has time to ‘seal’ any cuts before the temperatures drop.

While there’s no real hedge cutting season for informal and formal hedges, there is a best time to cut a beech hedge. Ideally, you want to cut a beech hedge in late summer, around August time is usually best. That’s because cutting a beech hedge at that time of year helps leaf retention in the winter – keeping your beech hedge full and healthy all year round!

Informal hedges tend to have a softer, more natural shape. They don’t require trimming as often, but you should still prune them after flowering to encourage healthy regrowth. Hand tools work best for light trimming, and you can leave longer gaps between cuts if you prefer a more relaxed look.

Formal hedges are neat and structured, often marking garden boundaries. For the best results, use an electric trimmer and keep your lines straight and sharp. Start with the top, then trim the sides, creating a gentle taper from base to top. This allows sunlight to reach the whole plant and promotes even, healthy growth.

Overgrown hedges can be intimidating, but breaking the job down helps. Start by trimming the sides, then tackle the top. Use a hedge trimmer with an adjustable head to stay in control - and then work methodically across the surface. In fact, our HT50 Hedge Trimmer is ideal for taller hedges, with a 135° adjustable head and precision blades to handle thicker stems with ease.

To get a clean, professional look with an electric hedge trimmer, keep the blade parallel to the hedge and use wide, sweeping motions. Always trim so the base is wider than the top. Don’t forget to wear gloves, goggles, and non-slip shoes to stay safe, and only work in dry conditions.

You can, but you must perform a thorough visual check for active nests before you start trimming during the bird nesting season. This usually runs from March through to the end of August. It’s also important to remember that it’s an offence to damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you find a nest in your hedgerow, you must wait until the chicks have fully fledged before trimming.

Now you know how to trim a hedge, you might be looking for more gardening top tips like how to make your own compost or how to use a leaf blower with ease. For all your gardening needs, head over to our blog. Or, if you’re looking for the right tools for the job, explore our cordless hedge trimmers collection.