Short answer
Trim holly once a year in late summer (RHS). Wear thick gloves, eye protection and long sleeves; holly leaves are sharp and the clippings are hard to handle.
Holly makes a dense, evergreen, wildlife-friendly hedge. It is slow growing, so one trim a year is usually enough.
How to trim
- Check carefully for nests and for berries and roosting birds.
- Cut with sharp blades; holly stems can be tougher than they look.
- Take off the current year’s growth and keep the sides slightly tapered.
- Collect clippings carefully; the leaves can pierce gloves and footwear.
Tools
Choose a trimmer with enough cutting capacity for woody stems; see trimmers for thick branches. Pair it with the right protective kit: our PPE guide explains it.
Check for nests before you start; see our nesting season guide.