# How to Use a Hedge Trimmer - **Published:** 19 October 2022 - **Type:** DIY Guide - **Format:** step by step - **Tags:** Lawn & garden If you’re wanting a nice and tidy kept garden, trimming your hedges is a great way to accomplish that. Not only that, but it’s important to maintain and trim your hedges consistently otherwise they can get out of hand, making it even harder to cut later. Trimming hedges is a fairly simple task, especially when you have a hedge trimmer by your side. While you can use manual shears to do the job, it becomes a much longer, more difficult job and it’s generally only suited for smaller hedges or if you’re wanting to make small adjustments to your hedges. Instead, you should opt for a powered hedge trimmer, as this will save you a whole lot of time and effort and will get your hedges looking sharp. If you’re looking to hire a hedge trimmer, then look no further than Hirepool. Hirepool has plenty of hedge trimmer options available so that you can keep your hedges in shape and get your garden looking great. Choose from our range of [battery-powered hedge trimmers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trimmers-hedge-battery/hedge-trimmers.md), [petrol hedge trimmers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trimmers-hedge-petrol/hedge-trimmers.md) and [telescopic hedge trimmers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/trimmers-hedge-petrol-telescopic/hedge-trimmers.md) to help your hedges look as good as they can possibly be. ## Equipment you'll need - [Hedge Trimmer Petrol](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418b-hedge-trimmer-petrol.md) - [Hedge Trimmer Battery](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418a-hedge-trimmer-battery.md) - [Hedge Trimmer Extension Attachment](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418e-hedge-trimmer-extension-attachment.md) - [Hedge Trimmer Telescopic Battery](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418f-hedge-trimmer-telescopic-battery.md) - [Chipper Petrol Towable 90mm](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/mulchers-chippers-log-splitters/419k-chipper-petrol-towable-90mm.md) ## Tools explained ## Battery-powered hedge trimmers Battery-powered [hedge trimmers](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418a-hedge-trimmer-battery.md) are a popular choice as they are very quiet and easy to operate. You don’t need to worry about refuelling or accidentally cutting the power cord. Battery-powered hedge trimmers are also lightweight and easy to handle, giving you precision as you trim hedges. Working with a lighter machine also means you can tackle those hedges for longer without getting tired. Battery-powered trimmers have approximately a 40 min run time per battery charge. ## Petrol powered hedge trimmers Petrol-powered hedge trimmers pack a punch in the power department and are great if you have very large or thick hedges that need a trim. They tend to be a bit heavier to handle, but are recommended if working remotely or dealing with very overgrown hedges. ## Hedge trimmer extension attachments Perfect for use with a hedge trimmer power unit, extension attachments connect to the power unit and allow you to trim hedges that are out of reach. Using a trimmer extension attachment is much safer than climbing up a ladder and operating a trimmer at height. ## Telescopic hedge trimmers Telescopic hedge trimmers are great for making high or long reach trimming a breeze. It removes the need for petrol or power leads and allows for safe trimming at height. ## Wood Chipper/Mulcher Trimming hedges creates a lot of small green waste and sticks and twigs that need to be disposed of. Turn your trimmings into [mulch that’s great for the garden](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/feed-your-garden-with-our-favorite-mulch-mixes.md) using a towable wood chipper. ## High side cage trailer Doing a lot of landscaping and need to dispose of a lot of green waste? Put hedge trimmings and other green waste into a high sided trailer and dispose of it responsibly. ## Safety equipment Trimming hedges is a dangerous job that requires appropriate safety gear. Ensure you are wearing head protection such as a hard hat to protect your head from falling debris, as well as [hearing protection](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/safety-ear-wear.md), [gloves to protect your hands](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/safety-gloves.md), sturdy footwear and [eye protection](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/consumables/safety-glasses.md). You can hire a [hard hat with earmuffs and a visor](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/safety/safety-gear/690045-hard-hat-with-earmuffs-visor.md) when you pick up your trimmer. ## Instructions ### Step 1: Prepare to trim your hedge Adequate preparation is the key to any job well done. To prepare, ensure you have read the instructions for use and feel confident you know how to operate your chosen trimmer. Ensure your trimmer has fuel, or if using a battery-powered trimmer, that the battery has a full charge and is ready to use. Ensure you have the appropriate safety gear in place, and give your hedge a once over to check for any foreign objects such as rubbish or toys that may have become lodged in the hedge, as well as any birds that may have created nests within the hedge. ### Step 2: Set string lines in place if using If you want to maintain straight and precise lines while trimming, you may with you erect string lines that you can easily follow when trimming. This can be done with strings attached to wooden stakes driven into the ground at the ends of the hedge row. ### Step 3: Trim the top of the hedge Grab your hedge trimmer and press the ‘on’ switch to turn it on. If you’re using a petrol hedge trimmer, hold onto the trimmer tightly and turn on the switch, put the choke lever to the cold start run position and pull the starter cord to start the engine. Start by slowly guiding the trimmer along the string lines (if using), keeping two hands on the trimmer at all times. To make your hedge as square as possible, use the trimmer sideways so that the blades are flat and parallel to the ground. It might be a good idea to trim your hedge to a height where you can in the future, trim from the ground without having to use a step ladder. A great tip, mainly for safety reasons, is to always hold the blade of the trimmer away from you, whether the trimmer is on or off, to avoid getting cut by the trimmer. If your hedge is taller than where you can comfortably trim when standing on the ground, we recommend using a trimmer extension or telescopic trimmer to cut at the desired height. Skip to step 5 for how to do this step. ### Step 4: Trim the sides and ends of the hedge Just as important as trimming the top of the hedge is trimming the sides and ends of the hedge. Turning the hedge trimmer on its side, start by cutting the bottom of the hedge and work your way to the top, with arcing, even strokes. Starting from the base of the hedge and cutting in an upwards direction is safer than cutting from the top to bottom. This is because if you hit a snag as you cut and it requires a bit of extra pressure, doing so in a downward motion can mean a higher chance of injuring yourself when the blade is released. If a bit of extra pressure is applied upwards and away from you, there is less of a chance of injury. **Top Hirepool tip: Don’t force the blade, go slowly and let the blade work its way through the hedge.** Depending on the hedge trimmer you have there may be two different finger triggers on the rear handle, one on the top of the machine for horizontal cutting and one on the side for vertical cutting. For this part, using the finger trigger on the side of the machine is the easiest as you’ll gain more control when cutting vertically. You should also cut the hedge sides at a slight angle to help keep the hedge narrow on top and wide at the bottom. This will allow sunlight to reach the bottom of the hedge more effectively to help grow healthy branches and leaves. Carry out the same process of guiding the hedge trimmer along the sides of the hedge at a slight angle until a rough job is done. [Image Source](https://www.stihl.co.nz/) ### Step 5: Use a telescopic hedge trimmer for the high branches If you need to cut the hedge above chest height, you should avoid using a regular hedge trimmer and instead use a telescopic hedge trimmer instead. Using this [telescopic hedge trimmer](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418f-hedge-trimmer-telescopic-battery.md?addToCart) is a much safer way to cut those hard to reach branches as the blade is further away from you and you’ll be able to control it much better. Turn on the telescopic hedge trimmer by either engaging the choke and pulling the starter cord if you’re using a petrol trimmer or by turning the switch on if you’re using the battery trimmer. Grip the handle at the bottom of the trimmer with one hand and place your other hand halfway up the trimmer where the grip is. From there, hold the trimmer around the area you’re wanting to cut and make clean strokes to get a nice, accurate cut. [Image Source](https://www.stihl.co.nz/) ## When is the best time to cut a hedge? The amount of pruning a hedge requires and the best time to trim will depend on the type of the hedge, how established the hedge is, and the season. New hedges should be pruned from an early stage to establish a shape and prevent straggly, unhealthy growth. How much you trim is a delicate balance, and will largely depend on the type of hedge. When your hedge is nice and established, it will require regular maintenance and pruning to keep it healthy and neat. The more often you trim and tidy your hedge, the less frequently you will need to do large reshaping trims. According to [Stihl NZ](https://www.stihl.co.nz/how-to-maintain-and-trim-your-hedge): “Normal evergreens like box hedges should be trimmed around two to three times a year during the growing season (around October to February), and some fast-growing conifers like Leylandii may need trimming more frequently to keep them in control. Do not cut conifers after the end of March. Stocky deciduous hedges like beech or hornbeam should be cut in late March, and if major trimming is required, do that in late August whilst the plant is still dormant.” Try not to cut too early in the year to avoid disturbing nesting birds. ## What is the best shape to cut a hedge into? The shapes and options for cutting a hedge are endless! The hedge shape that’s best will depend on the type of bushes you have. ### Informal hedges An informal hedge is a great lower-maintenance option that has lots of loose, bushy branches. Made up of a line of shrubs that allow for a looser form, these are different to tight hedges like a box hedge and are often softer and bushier. Informal hedges are great for a larger section and can be trimmed less frequently to keep things looking tidy. They may be easily maintained with a pair of pruning shears and do not need a hedge trimmer unless seriously overgrown. ### Formal hedges A formal hedge is a row of identical plants that have been grown in a tight formation to resemble one green line. These can be squared off with a flat top for a crisp finish or cambered off (rounded) to create a softer top. When cutting a formal hedge, it’s most important to ensure that the base of the hedge is wider than the top, to ensure sunlight makes it to the bottom of the plant and helps it to grow. ## How to dispose of your hedge cuttings Once you have finished trimming your hedges you’ll be left with a little (or a lot) of clippings to deal with. To collect your trimmings, sweep them up using a sturdy outdoor broom and gather them into a pile. You can dispose of your clippings in a number of ways: 1. Collect the clippings by sweeping them up and adding them into your compost 2. Break down larger trimmings using a chipper to break up the pieces, and mix with fresh grass clippings to [create mulch for your garden beds](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/articles/blog/feed-your-garden-with-our-favorite-mulch-mixes.md) 3. Fill up your trailer and take them to your local tip and dispose of them at the appropriate green waste disposal **Top Hirepool Tip:** If trimming hedges or topiary on gravel or shingle, then be sure to put down a tarpaulin where you’re cutting! This makes it easy to pick up the trimmings without taking half of the gravel with you when you want to sweep them up. ## Ready to trim your hedges? [Hire the equipment you need](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/building-renovation.md) for your landscaping and pruning projects. and DIY Check out the [Inspiration](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/inspiration.md) page for more ideas. Visit us in-store or [online](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/index.md) to see our full range of gear to help you get the job done. ## Useful products for this guide - [Hedge Trimmer Battery](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418a-hedge-trimmer-battery.md) - [Hedge Trimmer Petrol](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418b-hedge-trimmer-petrol.md) - [Hedge Trimmer Telescopic Battery](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/landscaping/hedge-trimmers/418f-hedge-trimmer-telescopic-battery.md) - [Chainsaw Chaps](https://www.hirepool.co.nz/products/equipment/safety/safety-gear/692g-chainsaw-chaps.md) Source: https://www.hirepool.co.nz/guides/diy/how-to-use-a-hedge-trimmer