Regular trimming of your hedge is an important part of summer maintenance and ensures healthy growth and atidy appearance.

During the first year of a formal hedge, careful pruning should be done with secateurs or shears in order to promote a plentiful supply of shoots at the base.

During the second year, new growth should be pruned back with a hedgecutter several times between May and August. this will increase the densisty of the hedge.

From year 3 onwards, the sides of the hedge should be trimmed between May and August but the height should be allowed to increase gradually until the desired height is achieved. The top of the hedge can be lightly topped if necessary in order to keep it tidy and to prevent it from becoming too thin.

From year 4 onwards, trim the top and sides as necessary leaving about 1/4 inch of new growth each time.

Taper the sides towards the top to allow light and air to the lower shoots. This will assist with promoting a thicker base and prevent branches from breaking under a top heavy snowfall.

Make use of canes and garden line to check the shape and to gain a level top.

Lay a ground sheet beneath the hedge to catch all the clippings. This will make life easier when gathering the clippings up for shredding and composting.

If using an electric hedge cutter, ensure that the blade length is appropriate for the size of your hedge. Use a gentle curving motion, keeping the blade parrallel to the line of the hedge.

Always wear goggles and gloves and run the cable over your shoulder and behind your bakck. Do not use an electric hedge cutter in wet weather and always use a circuit breaker.