If the green enclosure grows uncontrollably, it will eventually appear unkempt and will also cast more and more shadows. At that point at the latest, pruning is unavoidable. With our instructions, it's not difficult to shape a tall hedge professionally.
How do you trim a tall hedge correctly?
To cut a high hedge you need rose shears, hedge trimmers, mason's cord, stakes and protective clothing. Choose the right time (February, March or October) and cut the hedge horizontally and trapezoidally for even light.
When can a high hedge be shortened?
The optimal time for this care measure is February or March, in accordance with the Federal Nature Conservation Act. The bushes are then not yet full of sap and can cope better with pruning measures. In addition, there are no birds breeding in the hedge that could disturb you with their work.
If you missed the spring cut, you can alternatively use hedge trimmers from October 1st.
The right approach
If you have a tall hedge that has already reached the desired size, you can cut back the annual growth completely. It won't harm the plants if you shorten them even further and rejuvenate the bushes in this way. On the contrary: the privacy screen grows nice and tight again.
The materials required:
- Rose scissors: With these you can cut out dead wood inside and make small cosmetic corrections.
- Hedge trimmer: Hand hedge trimmers often require a lot of strength, so an electric or gasoline hedge trimmer is recommended for tall hedges.
- Mason's cord and stakes: These serve as a guide.
- Protective clothing: Sturdy work gloves, safety glasses and possibly hearing protection are strongly recommended when cutting hedges.
Cut the hedge straight
- So that the cut is precise, you should look for a reference edge that runs parallel to the hedge. This can be the edge of the lawn or a stretched cord.
- Keep the hedge trimmer horizontal when cutting so that the cutting line is clean.
- Continually examine the cutting diagram by taking a few steps back and make corrections if necessary.
Cut high hedge trapezoidal
High enclosures often become bare because the lower branches of a straight shape do not receive enough light due to the stronger shoots of the upper branches. It is therefore advisable to make it trapezoidal, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. This shape allows light to reach all areas of the hedge.
Tip
Pruning a high hedge should always be done on a frost-free and cloudy day. In cold weather the branches would break more quickly; When the sun shines, the sensitive finishing tissue could burn and the incision sites heal poorly.
