Nothing looks better than a well-trimmed, manicured hedge. But getting your hedges to be appealing to the eyes and healthy at the same time isn’t always as easy as it looks. Thankfully, there are several things you can do as a homeowner to make your hedges the envy of the neighbourhood.
How to care for your hedges
Tools to use: Selecting the correct tools is crucial to the well-being of your hedges. Inferior tools may lose their sharpness quickly, resulting in damage to your shrubs. So, seek to use high-quality hedge trimmers. Also, ensure you are using the right type of blade based on the thickness of the branches. Other useful tools include heavy-duty work gloves (to improve your grip and protect your hands from cuts and scratches), safety goggles (to keep your eyes free from wood splinters) and a tarp (to make clean-up much easier).
Clean your tools: Along with choosing the correct tools, you should also clean and keep them sharpened. Blades should be cleaned after each use to ensure they are free of tree sap. If this is not done, the sap will harden and render the blades ineffective or build up over time and damage your trimmer. You can clean your hedge trimmer blades using a Hedge trimmer Blade Cleaner/resin remover, available at your local professional power tool supplier, this will also act as a lubricant. Don’t forget to apply the appropriate grease to the trimmer using the grease points referred to in your owner’s manual.
Sharpen your tools: The proper sharpening of your blades is vital to the health of your hedges. The moment your cut branches begin to look ragged or torn, then it is time for you to sharpen your blades. You can use a file at home or take your trimmer to an approved dealer to have them sharpen it for you.
When to trim: Once properly planted, hedges are fairly easy to maintain. The spring and summer periods, are great to carry out hedge trimming, as these are usually the growing periods and trimming during these times will promote healthy regrowth.
How to trim: A poorly cut hedge is more unsightly than an overgrown one, hence the suggestion to use strings or a laser measuring tool to help as a guide for beginners when cutting. The way in which you shape your hedges will ultimately depend on the look you want to achieve.
Fertilize, water and keep hedges clear: In addition to trimming your hedges, you can fertilize them if necessary. Watering your hedges is important during dry periods. Failure to water your hedges as needed can result in them dying. But you must note that different types of hedges require different amounts of water, so do your research to know how much watering your hedges will need. Finally, keep your hedges clear of weeds and encroaching plants.
Love the look but unequipped?
Everyone likes the appearance of beautiful hedges, but not many are able to obtain this look on their own, whether due to a lack of tools or a lack of know-how. If you are unable to maintain your hedges on your own, you may need to hire a professional.
For hedge trimming in Vancouver, contact us at Ash Grove Tree Solutions Inc.
At Ash Grove Tree Solutions, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with exceptional tree and hedge trimming services. Our well-trained arborists are armed with high-quality equipment and the skills needed to help you achieve your preferred hedge style.
Give us a call today to learn how our certified Vancouver arborists can assist you with your hedge trimming needs.
