How to Prune a Hedge
Hedges are widely used to provide privacy and beauty to landscapes. Informal hedges consist of plants allowed to grow in their natural shape. A formal hedge, however, is trained to grow in a uniform shape, a result of pruning the hedge to the desired size and shape. Pruning a hedge may seem like an easy task at first, but if that were the case, there would be far fewer hedges with thin growth and dying branches. A well-shaped, healthy hedge is the result of several years of careful pruning and shaping. Evergreen and deciduous hedges require different pruning approaches. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Deciduous Hedges
-
1
Cut the plants back to only 6 to 8 inches when planting; this encourages bushy, low growth so the hedge will be full as it grows. Use a pair of pruning shears or lopping shears for maximum control while cutting.
-
2
Cut back half of the first year's new growth in late summer of the first growing season or at the onset of spring of the following year; cut branches at their point of origin or at ground level to thin the plant out and encourage side branches to grow. Repeat this at the end of the second growing season or beginning of the third growing season to encourage bushy growth.
-
-
3
Run a string as a guide for the cuts to maintain an even shape throughout the hedge.
-
4
Begin shaping the hedge with hedge shears and pruning shears after the new growth sets in during the third growing season. This is usually around the end of June, ensuring that the cut plant has enough time to harden off before winter.
-
5
Shape the hedge with sloping sides so that the base is wider than the top, ensuring that all leaves receive sunlight and rain to keep the bushes healthy from top to bottom. The hedge should have a slightly pointed or rounded top to discourage snow accumulation.
-
6
Thin out the oldest and tallest branches in the hedge once per year; this encourages new growth so that the plant will be full each year. Pruning shears and saws are ideal for removing branches.
-
7
Prune again to maintain shape as necessary throughout the season; some fast-growing hedges can be trimmed up to three more times throughout summer. Use manual or electric hedge shears to maintain the shape.
Evergreen Hedges
-
8
Allow new evergreen hedge shrubs to grow naturally for the first year or two after planting.
-
9
Prune shrubs sparingly after a year or two, removing only unhealthy or wildly overgrown branches, as necessary. Pines tend to have top growth that grows much taller than the rest, but this can be cut back when the plant is young without deforming the plant.
-
10
Trim the evergreen shrubs into shape when they begin to grow together as a continuous hedge. As with deciduous hedges, the base must be wider than the top to allow the entire plant to receive light and water.
-
11
Pinch off the lead buds on the ends of the pine, fir and spruce branches after a year or two to encourage bushy growth.
-
12
Prune broad-leaved evergreens and small-leaved evergreens, such as juniper and yew, in early spring before new growth begins. Prune coarse-leaved evergreens, such as spruce and fir, in winter or early spring.
-
13
Cut out dead and unhealthy branches as soon as they occur so that new growth can fill in the space.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Always cut branches at a 45-degree angle close to intersecting lateral branches so that the plant heals from the cut faster.
As a general rule, shrubs that bloom on new growth and grown for their foliage should be pruned in spring before the growing period begins. Shrubs that bloom on old growth and bloom early in spring, should be pruned as soon as they finish blooming.
Narrowleaf evergreens, such as pine, require significantly more pruning than broadleaf evergreens such as hollies and boxwood and may not be the best hedge plant choice for inexperienced gardeners.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
