Short answer
Check for nests, put on safety gear, set a string guide, cut the top first and then the sides from the bottom up, keep the hedge slightly wider at the base, and clear up. Trim most formal hedges in the growing season, and do not cut hard in the nesting season.
What you need
- A hedge trimmer with a blade length to suit the hedge: see our blade length guide.
- Eye protection, gloves and sturdy footwear: see PPE for hedge trimming.
- String line, canes or pegs for guidance.
- A groundsheet or tarpaulin for clippings.
- Secateurs for thick stems that the trimmer cannot handle.
Step 1: choose the right time and check for nests
Use our when can you cut hedges guide. Check the hedge carefully for nests, and delay if you find one.
Step 2: set up a guide
Hammer canes at each end of the hedge and stretch a string line at the height you want. For a very long hedge, add intermediate canes. See how to cut a hedge straight.
Step 3: cut the top
Hold the trimmer with both hands and sweep along the line in a smooth arc. Let the blade do the work, and keep the blade flat on the top so you do not scalp the hedge.
Step 4: cut the sides
Work from the bottom up, so clippings fall away rather than on top of the part you have cut. Keep a slight taper (wider at the base) so light reaches the lower growth. Use the tip of the blade for details and corners.
Step 5: finish and clean up
- Stand back and check for gaps or an uneven top.
- Collect clippings from the ground.
- Clean the blade and apply a little oil: see how to oil hedge trimmer blades.
Common mistakes
- Cutting hard in the nesting season.
- Cutting conifers into brown wood.
- Leaving the top wider than the base.
- Using blunt blades that tear the leaves.
- Over-reaching on ladders.
Looking for a tool? Start with our hedge trimmer buying guides.