Ideally, hedges should be pruned in
late winter
, when plants are dormant and haven’t produced buds—particularly if you’re cutting back drastically. “You don’t want them to break bud before you prune because you want the plant’s energy to go toward producing new growth where you want it,” says Roger.
When should you not cut hedges?
We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout
March to August each
year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.
What month do you trim hedges?
Formative pruning is usually carried out in
winter or early spring
. After this, maintenance trimming is carried out, usually once a year for informal hedges and twice a year for formal hedges. Some formal hedges may need three cuts a year. Maintenance trimming is generally carried out between spring and summer.
Can you cut hedges in winter?
Is it too cold to do hedge cutting? … But as a general rule, it’s
fine to cut back deciduous hedges
, but not evergreen trees, which should only be cut back in the spring. Most other plants are dormant during the winter, which is typically the best time to make any adjustments to their shape.
How far can you cut a hedge back?
How Far Can You Cut Back A Hedge? The rule of thumb for trimming hedges is to cut back
no more than a third of the total volume of the hedge at one time
. This is enough to encourage new growth in the top half of the plant without causing serious damage to its overall wellbeing.
Do I have to cut my hedge on my neighbors side?
The ownership of the boundary hedge itself is defined by where the main trunk is growing at. An owner of a hedge is responsible for it not damaging their neighbour’s property. …
You do NOT have to cut your hedge on your neighbour’s side unless the growth is threatening to damage their property
.
Is it illegal to cut hedges in summer?
Wildlife Protection
The months of March through to the end of July is the breeding season for birds and as far as hedge cutting is concerned is
considered a closed season
and unless there exists unavoidable health and safety concerns hedge cutting during this season should be avoided.
How do I make my hedges thicker?
Trim the shrub annually after the third pruning to remove any dead, broken or diseased branches.
Remove one-quarter to one-third of the branches each year
to encourage thick, healthy interior growth. Cut back any branches that extend past the desired perimeter of the shrub.
Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?
How Does Trimming Help a Hedge? It stimulates the growth of new branches and reduces pest infestations. Since it promotes the growth of more branches, it
makes hedges bushier and stronger
. When it is done together with shaping, it improves the attractiveness of the shrubs or trees.
Is it OK to cut a hedge in November?
November, December and January
are the months to cut most hedges – any later and the birds will be nesting.
Which birds nest in hedges?
Dunnocks, lesser whitethroats and willow warblers
prefer medium or tall hedgerows with few trees. Wrens, robins, dunnocks and whitethroats usually nest low down, but song thrushes, blackbirds, chaffinches and greenfinches nest well above the ground level. Grey partridges use grass cover at the hedge bottom to nest.
Can you trim hedges with a chainsaw?
Chainsaws can cut through bushes, hedges and shrubs with little problem. A
chainsaw can be used to trim
bushes, hedges and shrubs. While not as effective as a hedge trimmer, a chainsaw can cut fast enough to trim through lighter woods. … If it’s only needed to pair back overgrown bushes, a chainsaw will suffice.
Can you trim hedges too much?
Prune too much or too
early
, and you may stunt the tree just at the point where it needs lots of top greenery to support the development of its new root system. … Shade trees, too, will be stimulated into new growth by assertive pruning, but they do not require the same vigorous pruning that multi-stemmed shrubs do.
How do you cut back a hedge properly?
- Cut back the width on one side of the hedge only.
- Cut to at least 15cm (6in) less than the desired width, or almost to the main stems if necessary.
- Remember to cut the hedge to a ‘batter’ (sloping sides), so it tapers from the bottom to a thinner top, allowing light to reach the bottom of the hedge.
Can I throw my Neighbours branches back?
Under common law,
a person may cut back any branch
(or root) from a neighbour’s tree that overhangs or encroaches onto their property. … any branches, fruit or roots that are removed must be carefully returned to the tree owner unless they agree otherwise. all work must be carried out carefully.
