To always benefit from the advantages of this natural fence, which are hedges, you must maintain it regularly. This activity is not just a simple chore to do like many others; it must be carried out with the utmost care. To do this, you need to follow a number of steps and perform specific actions for trimming. To give you an overview of what it is really about, here are the 5 actions for trimming your hedges.
1/Properly equip yourself before starting
To trim your hedges, you have the choice between two different types of tools. First, the traditional hedge shears. Then, a powered or non-powered hedge trimmer. If your hedges are low, the shears are more than sufficient. On www.taillehaie.info, it is also the ideal tool for achieving a moderate length during trimming.
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Alongside the good old shears, you have the more efficient and faster hedge trimmer. It saves you time and requires less effort to use than shears. If you choose this type of tool for your work, you can opt for either the electric model or the gas model.
2/Follow safety instructions
Before trimming your hedges, it is vital to adhere to a number of safety instructions. That said, there are 3 main guidelines.
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First, it is necessary to check in advance that no obstacles are present at the base of the hedge.
Second, you must wear gloves and protective goggles. Your well-being depends on it.
And finally, if trimming involves working at height, then you must use a stable scaffold.
3/Perform a formative trim
The formative trim helps increase the branching of the branches during the first three years of hedge growth. This process also helps to give a certain balance to the whole. Generally, it is done in spring, for example, for deciduous hedges.
Only when all risk of frost has passed can you begin to trim your hedges. First and foremost, you must cut the shrubs back to 20 cm from the ground, starting from the first year. For the following two years, you should trim 30% of the growth of the hedges during the current year.
4/Trim the sides of the hedges
For better harmonization of the cutting level, it is vital that you trim your hedges from the bottom up. That said, if you are using a powered hedge trimmer, you should perform a sweeping motion. While moving along the hedge, try to keep the blade parallel to it. A cut is said to be perfect if physically your hedge resembles a fruit. In other words, it should have a wider base than the top.
5/Trim the top of the hedges
At this stage, it is often recommended to remove 30 cm from the height of the hedge. This process allows for better preservation. The trimming of the top is done according to a straight horizontal line. To achieve this, it is ideal to plant stakes. Then, connect them with a wire so that it is perfectly horizontal. Then cut off what exceeds.