Hedges give visual features to your garden and make a real impact on how your garden looks. The start of the year is an excellent time to trim your hedge trimming before the warmer weather and summer sun encourages them to grow.
- Giving Your Hedge a Straight Edge
Straight edges are also known as formal hedges, mainly used to define property boundaries. Give the hedge a simple 'sides, top, and back, sides are relatively simple.
Smaller hedges can be cut by eye; you can use an electric hedge trimmer with the user regularly stopping, standing back and checking that the hedge is straight.
For larger hedges, it is suggested that you hammer two stakes into the ground at either end of the hedge. Attach a piece of string at the height from where you want to cut and pull it taut to create your straight line. That can then be used as a cutting guide to ensure that the hedge is evenly cut.
- Giving Your Hedge a Slope
Before striving to give the hedge a slope, you should map out how you want it to look. Ensure that all areas of the hedge will be able to get sunlight. If not, these areas can die off and turn brown. The widest part of your hedge always has to be the base.
Use the same process with wooden stakes and string; give yourself a guide for making a straight edge. Move the hedge trimmer upwards from the bottom to form the slope, slowly increase the number you trim off as you move to the top.
If you missed the old bushes, the electric hedge trimmer might not cut in thick branches or dense patches. Ensure you have a sharp pair of manual hedge cutters or saw to assist you in getting in thicker branches.
- Cutting a Square Hedge
Cutting a square hedge process is the same as making a straight line. Use a string pulled taut within two garden canes to make the flat top using your hedge trimmer in a linear, sweeping movement.
Use the garden sticks again as a guide to making the flat sides, ensuring they are held up perfectly straight. Move the hedge cutter up from the bottom of the hedge, keep it well aligned with the garden canes to provide a flat surface.
- Cutting a Round Hedge
To give a round-cut, you have to start around 3 inches from the top of the hedge. To adjust the curve, you will have to use the eye and instinct. Keep hedge trimmer at an angle; move it away from the body and to the top of the hedge. Repeat this motion as you move around the hedge to produce an even finish.
Unless you plan to use wire mesh, there is no other way to produce this shape than by eye. That means that you might wish to practise on a less prominent hedge before you attempt to create a feature.
So, if you have trees in your backyard and looking for tree removal, stump removal, or any tree service. In that case, our arborists are here to assist you.