The following guide has all the information you need to start planning your hedge trimming:
Trimming Guidance for Newly Planted Hedges
Deciduous hedges: Trim during the first winter after planting and at the same time for the next two years after that
Evergreen hedges: Trim during the first spring after planting and at the same time for the next two years after that
Trimming Guidance for Established Hedges
Trim only Once
• All Lavenders: Immediately after flowering
• Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Late summer
• Escallonia Macrantha : Immediately after flowering
• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus): Mid- to late summer
• Purple Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’): Late summer
Trim only Twice
• Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’): during growing season
• Yew (Taxus baccata): once in summer, once in autumn. Do not trim in bright sun – any time from mid-May – as the foliage may scorch
Trim 2-3 times during the Growing season
• Box (Buxus sempervirens)
• Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium):
• Lonicera (Lonicera nitida)
• Leylandii (Cupressocyparis Leylandii) – but do not cut or even trim after August, as this can encourage bare patches.
NB:
Before undertaking any work on your hedge during the bird nesting season (generally considered to be March 1st to July 31st but not all species run to so exact a timetable) you MUST check that there are no birds either in residence or preparing to move in). If there is no evidence of avian activity, you can proceed but if there is, the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 prohibits destroying or damaging any nest.
View Our Recommended Hedges
