Short answer
Do major structural work from September to February, check for nests before any cut, keep March to August for light, carefully checked work, and trim most formal hedges in the growing season. Use the table below as a starting point, and adapt to your region and hedge type.
The calendar combines RHS pruning advice and RSPB nesting guidance. Regional weather varies, so shift the timing a little for colder or warmer areas.
| Month | Jobs | Nesting note |
|---|---|---|
| January | Plan work; service your trimmer; check nest-free status for hard pruning | Low risk, but check |
| February | Hard prune overgrown broadleaf hedges (beech, hornbeam, privet, hawthorn, laurel) before nesting | Check nests; British Trust for Ornithology season starts 1 Feb |
| March | Light tidy only if essential; feed hedges | Nesting season begins |
| April | Avoid major cuts | High risk |
| May | First trim of fast-growing formal hedges only after careful checking | High risk |
| June | Trim privet, box, laurel if needed (checking first) | High risk |
| July | Second trim for fast growers, with checks | High risk |
| August | Main trim for beech, hornbeam, holly after nesting; yew and hawthorn summer trim | Season ending; still check |
| September | Autumn trim for yew, hawthorn, conifers | RSPB recommends cutting window opens 1 Sept |
| October | Tidy; clear leaf litter | Low risk |
| November | Sharpen and oil blades; store tools | Low risk |
| December | Clean and store; plan next year | Low risk |
Maintenance jobs
- Autumn: sharpen blades and clean and oil them.
- Winter: store your trimmer properly.
- Spring: test run and check fuel or battery.