View Full Version : Hedge Triming / Straight or Level Cut ?
NorPlan
Mar 26, 2013, 06:05 AM
I had asked previously about Cutting Back a Hedge that had taken a beating from this Winter's wet snow fall.. Yes a goodly amount of it has pretty much sprung back up... The over all height of the hedge is approximately 12 / 14 ft. high.. We have decided to cut back to 6 / 7 ft. High depending on the contour of the land In the hopes that the hedge will thicken out... My question and does it really matter when cutting the tops off if the cut is level across or on an angle?? Thanks
joypulv
Mar 26, 2013, 06:08 AM
The rule of thumb for most hedges is to cut back a maximum of 1/3 at one time. I would cut 3' this year and 3' next year. Even so, it's going to look awful this year, a lot of fat bare branches until smaller shoots can get going. How you shape it isn't important this year, but I would try to round the tops next year. This will be difficult enough as it is because you will be cutting thicker woody branches.
tickle
Mar 26, 2013, 06:10 AM
No it's doesn't matter to the cedar. We cut ours straight across. And, yes, the shorter you cut, the more it will fill out. If not, you can always plant young cedars, very inexpensive, all the base of the hedge.