How to use a hedge trimmer safely and neatly

Before you start: kit and checks

Get everything ready before you switch on. Check the blade for damage, make sure the guard is fitted and charge the battery. Clear the ground under the hedge of toys, hoses and anything you could trip on, and lay a sheet along the base to catch clippings.

• Safety glasses or a visor
• Ear defenders, especially with petrol models
• Thick gloves
• Long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy boots
• A sheet or tarpaulin for clippings
• String line and two canes for a level top

Note:Wear eye protection, ear protection, gloves, long trousers and sturdy footwear, and keep children and pets away while you work.

When to cut

It is an offence to damage or destroy an active bird's nest, so check carefully before cutting at any time of year. Many gardeners avoid the main nesting season in spring and early summer and do the main trim in late summer, with a lighter tidy at other times. Fast growing hedges such as privet and Leylandii may need two or three trims a year. Cut on a dry day, as wet foliage clogs the blades and makes footing slippery.

Why to avoid cutting when it is wet →

How to hold the trimmer

Keep both hands on the handles at all times. Most trimmers have a two-hand safety system that only runs the blade when both grips are held, and you should never defeat it. Stand with your feet apart and balanced, hold the trimmer at waist to chest height and let the blade do the work. Do not force it into thick wood.

Keep the cable of a corded model over your shoulder and behind you, well away from the blade. With a battery model, the main risks are the blade and your footing.

Cutting the sides

Start at the bottom and work upwards. Sweep the blade in smooth arcs, angled slightly so the hedge is a little wider at the base than at the top. This shape, called a batter, lets light reach the lower branches and keeps the base thick. Work along the hedge in sections, stepping back regularly to check your line.

1. 1

   Cut one side from the bottom upwards in overlapping arcs

2. 2

   Keep the blade at a slight angle so the top is narrower than the base

3. 3

   Step back every few metres to check the line

4. 4

   Repeat on the other side if you can reach it

Cutting the top

Stretch a string line between two canes at the height you want, and cut along it. Hold the blade flat and sweep it towards the edge so the clippings fall off the hedge. Do not reach above shoulder height. For tall or wide hedges, use a stable platform or a pole hedge trimmer instead of stretching from a ladder.

Note:Working from a ladder with a powered trimmer is risky. Use a pole trimmer or a proper work platform, and call a professional for very tall hedges.

Standard or pole hedge trimmer? →

Clearing up and looking after the trimmer

Gather the sheet and compost the soft clippings. Remove the battery or unplug the trimmer, then brush sap and leaves off the blade. A spray of blade cleaner and lubricant stops resin building up and helps prevent rust. Store the trimmer with its blade cover on, somewhere dry. If the blade starts tearing rather than cutting, see our guide to sharpening hedge trimmer blades.

If the trimmer stops, stalls or will not start, our hedge trimmer troubleshooting guide works through the common causes.

Choosing a trimmer for the job

If you are buying a trimmer, match it to your hedges. A blade of around 50 cm suits most garden hedges, a compact blade is easier on small shrubs and a pole trimmer is safer for tall hedges. Battery models are quiet and need little upkeep, and buying one on the same platform as your mower or strimmer means the batteries can be shared.

Many of the battery systems in our cordless mower and strimmer sets also offer hedge trimmers on the same battery, so check the range before you commit to a brand.

Frequently asked questions

Should I cut the top or sides of a hedge first? Cut the sides first, then the top. That way you can see the final width before setting the height.

How do I get a straight top on a hedge? Use a string line tied between two canes at the height you want and cut along it.

Can I use a hedge trimmer in the rain? No. Most makers advise against it. Wet foliage clogs the blades and footing is poor.

Can a hedge trimmer cut thick branches? Only up to its tooth gap. Cut thicker stems with loppers or a pruning saw first.