If your hedges are starting to look a bit overgrown, you might be wondering when’s the best time to get the trimmer out. The short answer is, it depends on the type of hedge you have and the time of year. But one golden rule applies throughout - avoid cutting during the bird nesting season, which usually runs from March to September.
Cutting your hedges at the right time keeps them healthy and looking their best. Trim too early, and you risk chopping off new shoots before they’ve had a chance to grow. On the flip side, leave it too late and your hedge can become uneven or woody.
There’s also the wildlife factor to consider. Many birds nest in hedges, and it’s actually illegal to intentionally damage or destroy an active nest. So, it’s best to hold off cutting during spring and summer when birds are raising their young - once the nesting season ends, you’re free to trim without worry.
Evergreen hedges, such as yew, box and privet, retain their leaves year-round and usually need trimming once or twice a year. The best times are late spring and early autumn. A light trim helps keep their shape and encourages dense growth. Try to avoid cutting during extreme heat or frost, as that can stress the plants.
Deciduous hedges, such as beech, hornbeam and hawthorn, lose their leaves in winter. The ideal time to give them a proper cut is late winter or early spring, before the new growth starts. This gives them a tidy look before they leaf up again. You can also give them a light trim in late summer if they begin to look untidy.
Flowering hedges like forsythia or lilac need a bit more attention to timing. The trick is to cut them after they’ve finished flowering. If you cut them too early, you’ll remove the buds that produce next year’s blooms. Waiting until the flowers have faded lets you keep their shape without losing colour next season.
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