Pruning hedges

When to prune hedges

Prune/trim according to the growing speed of the hedge species. The more often you prune, the denser the hedge will become. Most people prune twice a year: in May and at the end of July/beginning of August. Ideally prune slow growers that need just one trim a year around 21 June.

Species such as Buxus are pruned more often, and it thereby does not matter so much when you do it. Do not trim or prune during hot and dry weather. Trim a hedge narrower at the top than at the bottom. The light can then reach the lower branches better, which means that the plants remain greener and more dense there.

Trimming hedges

Slow-growing hedges (and conifers) are generally pruned around the longest day (21 June). Fast growers should be pruned more frequently, e.g. for the first time in May and again at the end of August. If a hedge has gone bare at the bottom, it depends on the species as to whether it can be restored.

With yew and privet this can be done by cutting the entire hedge right down. Those species will then grow out from the bottom again. This also works with cherry laurel. For most other species of hedging plant it does not.

Yew

Because yew begins growing later in the spring than other conifers, it can also be pruned later and if necessary more often in order to achieve a nice tight hedge. Never prune after August! The young twigs need to be able to ripen before winter comes in order to protect them against frost. Unlike other conifers, yew can be prune quite vigorously. The plants will also grow back from the bare wood. It is sometimes necessary to prune the roots.

If a hedge is getting too little nutrition, the roots will go in search of food and can then grow far into the garden or the surrounding soil. Cut through them at fifty centimetres from the hedge and apply feed above the roots. They will then no longer compete with nearby plants.

Beech hedges

Beech hedges are ideally pruned in the summer, on or around the longest day (21 June). Preferably prune them with secateurs, not hedging shears. It involves a bit more work, but the effect is much better because the foliage is tackled less roughly. Make sure that the stems of the beech are always shaded by foliage. Beeches do not like direct sunlight on the bark.