At STIHL Shop Mount Maunganui, we know that a hedge is more than just a decorative feature – it’s a living barrier that enhances privacy, provides shelter for wildlife, and creates a lush, green backdrop for your garden. Keeping your hedge neat and healthy requires regular trimming, not only for looks but also to promote better growth, airflow, and sunlight penetration. Well-maintained hedges are less susceptible to disease and grow thicker and stronger over time.
While you can prune your hedge with hand tools, using a quality Hedge Trimmer makes the job faster, easier, and more precise. As your outdoor power tool specialists in Tauranga, we can help you find the ideal trimmer for your needs.
As a general rule, most hedges benefit from trimming twice a year. For formal box hedges, three trims a year may be needed to keep them looking their best.
• Late Winter: This is the perfect time for the first major trim. Reduced humidity and bare branches make it easier to see what needs cutting back, plus the hedge won’t yet be in bud.
• Summer: A lighter trim keeps your hedge in shape as new growth appears. Cut back new shoots by about a third, but always check for birds’ nests before you start, and delay trimming until after flowering for decorative hedges.
Avoid trimming in autumn in temperate areas. Fungal spores are common at this time of year and can infect freshly cut surfaces. Similarly, don’t trim in extreme heat, bright sun, or freezing temperatures, as this can damage the plant.
1. Start at the Bottom: Cut from the base upwards, leaving the top until last. This prevents you from overcutting at the top before you’ve shaped the sides.
2. Keep the Base Wider than the Top: A slightly tapered shape allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, avoiding bare patches at the bottom.
1. Check for Hazards: Remove obstacles like wires or rocks before starting.
2. Plan the Height: Don’t cut more than one third at a time, especially on established hedges.
3. Trim the Sides First: Use steady upward strokes, clearing dead wood as you go.
4. Level the Top: Use smooth, crescent-shaped motions for a neat finish. A long-reach Hedge Trimmer is ideal for tall hedges.
5. Step Back and Review: Regularly check your progress from a distance for straight, even lines.
• Shape Matters: Always keep the base wider than the top for light and air circulation.
• Young Hedges: In the second year after planting, trim lightly to encourage shape but avoid cutting the main stem until it reaches full height.
• Fill Gaps with Light: Small gaps close quickly with increased sunlight; train nearby branches over larger gaps using supports.
At STIHL Shop Mount Maunganui, we stock a full range of Hedge Trimmers and outdoor power equipment to make hedge maintenance easy. Visit us in Tauranga for expert advice, quality tools, and everything you need to keep your garden looking its best.
