Short answer
Check the machine and the hedge, wear eye protection and gloves, hold the trimmer with both hands on the handles, keep your body clear of the blade line, and cut with smooth sweeps. Switch off and remove the battery or disconnect power before clearing jams.
Before you start
- Read the manual: controls and safety features vary by model.
- Check the blades, guard and handles are secure.
- Check the hedge and ground for nests, wires, and obstacles.
- Wear the correct kit: see PPE for hedge trimming.
- Check the cable (corded) or battery and fuel (petrol).
Grip and stance
- Stand with feet apart and balanced.
- Keep both hands on the handles and use the two-handed safety switch where fitted.
- Keep the blade away from your body and do not reach across the blade.
Cutting technique
- Cut the top first, then the sides, from the bottom up.
- Sweep in long, smooth arcs.
- Keep the blade angled slightly so it cuts, not tears.
- Do not force the blade; let it cut. Stop and clear jams only after switching off.
Working at height
Avoid cutting above shoulder height for long periods. Use stable access, or consider a pole trimmer: see long reach trimmers.
After use
- Switch off and wait for the blade to stop.
- Remove the battery, or disconnect the power.
- Clean the blade and fit the cover.
- Store safely: see how to store a hedge trimmer.
New to hedge trimmers? See our beginner buying guide, which will be completed after testing.