TIP 1. What is the best time to cut hedges in Australia?

The pruning process should be employed on early-stage and mature hedges, as it gets rid of any withered leaves or sickly branches. The best season to do this along with the frequency depends on both the species and condition.

Pruning is more effective around late winter to early spring, at which time the shrub is still dormant, providing more room to observe the branches clearly. Doing so at this point will subsequently result in substantial growth.

TIP 2.Hedge trimming: how to do it

Cut your bushes' branches to let light and air through and promote growth. Also prune the base at the root. Place a taut rope or string around your hedge to guide its growth.

Using a gauge like a timber vegetable stake with taped marks (height & widths) can be useful when pruning to ensure you don’t “over prune” in excitement.

To define the taped markings on your timber stake, use solid reference points if you can (walls, concrete path edges), static points so you trim to a consistent gauge.

TIP 3. When is the right time to prune?

After the formal pruning takes place in winter and early April, maintenance trimming is generally performed once a year for informal hedges and twice a year for formal hedges.

The maintenance cutting of formal hedges takes place generally between spring and summer.

TIP 4.Trimming hedges requires a plan

Observe tall stems on hedges and clip them close to the ground. When the stem breaks into 2 cuts just below the split, continue cutting old branches with fresh growth.

TIP 5. How do I properly trim hedges?

A trimmer may make it easier to trim the surface and make it more precise. Snipping overgrown branches and limbs in each tree. Make sure adequate light enters the room and encourages healthy growth. Additionally, prune the base near the roots.

TIP 6. When cutting a hedge, do you cut the top or sides first?

Cut the hedges flat along the top with a Hedge Trimmer with an adjustable cutting head, starting at the edges.

The hedge trimmer has adjustable cutting heads that can easily cut along the top edge of a hedge of 10 feet. The head rotates at 180° to allow you to cut a hedge.

TIP 7. What is the best way to trim an overgrown hedge?

Cut three to four stems with loppers so that sunlight can penetrate in. Observe tall stems growing on hedges and clip them close to the ground. When the stem has split into two cuts, continue cutting old branches that are growing new growth.

TIP 8. What are The best tools for trimming and pruning hedges?

Using the tools below, you can cut overgrown bushes and hedges easily. You can use hand shears to trim smaller bushes, but you can trim your hedge in a matter of minutes if you use an electric or petrol hedge trimmer.

If you not pruning large hedges then id go with a cordless electric tool like the ones below. Its always a good idea to get a second battery like a 4Ah backup for a cordless tool like a hedge trimmers or blower because they will quickly drain battery power with use (high output = high power consumption).

If you have a lot of hedges to prune, then I would recommend spending a bit more and buying a petrol version in a brand like Stihl. I have no affiliation with Stihl, I have bought and used their products for many years now and have never had any issues with them.

I use the petrol Stihl HS45 (links to Stihl AU website) - LINK

Some highly rated cordless electric trimmers on Amazon include (all prices shown are in AUD from Amazon AU store):

$189 LiTHELi 40V Cordless 21 inches Hedge Trimmer, Multi colour - comes with battery and charger for price - total package to get pruning is $189

$179 Bosch 18 V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Garden Pruner, 450 mm, Anti Blocking System, with 2.0Ah Battery & Charger (Easy Hedge Cut 18-45) - total package to get pruning is $179.00

$165 BLACK+DECKER 18V Lithium-Ion 45cm Hedge Trimmer Kit 2.0Ah - total package to get pruning is $234.00

  • note: includes battery & charger but buy a 4AH as well to extend usage
  • AMAZON LINK
  • $69 BLACK+DECKER 18V Lithium-Ion 4.0Ah Battery
  • AMAZON LINK

$169 WORX 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer Skin (POWERSHARE Battery/Charger Not Incl.) - WG261E.9 - total package to get pruning is $268.00

$209 HiKOKI CH18DSL(H4Z)18V Hedge Trimmer Naked, Green Black White - total package to get pruning is $308.00 (skin + battery)

  • note: skin only (you need to buy a battery as well)
  • AMAZON LINK
  • $99 HIKOKI KC12DD Batter and Charger Starter Pack - Lithium Ion Battery - 12V 2.5Ah - Fast Charger with Battery Indicator
  • AMAZON LINK

TIP 9. Why and how do I need to clean my trimming tools?

It is essential to clean trimming and pruning tools regularly to avoid infection spreading to plants, to make clean cuts and to prolong the life of your tools.

I recommend and use Stihl Resin Solvent for this job. A quick spray after you finish trimming along with brushing the tool down with a plastic bristle scrubbing brush (or tooth brush for hand shears), then a wipe down with a micro fibre cloth and your good to go.

TIP 10.Trimming hedges professionally

If your time poor and happy to pay, then one of the best things you can do is to have your hedges trimmed by a professional.

Here are four reasons why this is a great idea:

1. A professional hedge trimmer will have the right equipment to do the job quickly and efficiently. They'll also know how to trim your hedges in a way that looks neat and tidy.

2. Having your hedges trimmed by a professional can actually save you money in the long run. That's because they'll be able to spot any potential problems with your hedges (e.g. pests or diseases) and deal with them before they become serious (and expensive) issues.

3. Professionals usually offer a warranty on their work, so if you're not happy with the results, you can usually get them to come back and redo the job for free.

4. Finally, having your hedges trimmed by a professional is simply more convenient than doing it yourself. You won't have to worry about renting or buying equipment, and you can just sit back and relax while someone else does all the hard work!

There you go, 10 tips for better hedge trimming!