What do you use to trim hedges?

[dr.girlfriend]

Any kind of power tool you recommend? We have a ton of hedges which have not been trimmed since, oh, 2008 when we moved in. We are becoming the scourge of the neighborhood. I don't think I want to go full-on chainsaw, but there are some azaleas and stuff that are probably pretty thick branches.

[6fsn]

We have a set of battery operated tools- weed wacker, leaf blower, and trimmers. It's a smallish yard, but I love the battery operated stuff. It's light weight and easy to start, but no cords to mess with. Even my 4 yo can use the leaf blower. I would recommend two batteries though.

For a bigger job we also have this:
www.blackanddecker.com/outdoor/LP1000.aspx

This is not an every week item, but it's used several times a year and has been worth it.

ETA: In case you can't tell it's like a little mini electric chain saw. We've used it on azeleas numerous times.

[zelda25]

I came in here expecting "hedges" to be a euphemism for something else entirely and was all ready to rave about my beard and mustache trimmer. But you really were talking about hedges :-( .

Carry on.

[schrodinger]

I like my mini-electric chainsaw as well. But, if you're worried about getting some larger branches, start with a good, sharp pair of loppers (http://www.sherrilltree.com/Professional-Gear/Handled-Loppers). It should get through pretty thick branches easily and then you don't have to worry about the kickback (or damage) to your chainsaw.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I feel like this is a trick question :-). Wouldn't you use hedge clippers? That's what DH uses -- gas powered ones. They're serious business -- DH once nicked his leg with them and needed stitches.

For really thick branches, you might need a small chain saw. We borrow my FIL's electric pole chain saw.

[womet]

Our electric hedge trimmers look like a large turkey carver/electric knife. Easy to use, and not expensive.

[dapotato]

a gardening service

::ducks::

sorry if my answer's totally unhelpful, but i think i'd rather pay someone who has the tools than spend all the money on tools and then probably hurt myself. plus, "everywhere in la has [gardening services]." for the price of a hedge trimmer, we can have our gardening service come out a few times. and the hedges don't need trimming that often.

[gardengal]

I think it depends on the shrub.

So, I'd use pruners on an azalea & take out branches inside to maintain form/height. I, personally, do not like sheered azaleas. Not all shrubs like to be sheered (and, IMO, azaleas after years of sheering start to look haggard. Ready for the antedotes to fly!)

If your hedges are basically boxes, then sheering them with an electric hedge trimmer is OK.

[Pilsy]

Oct 14, 2012 14:05:14 GMT -5 womet said:

Our electric hedge trimmers look like a large turkey carver/electric knife. Easy to use, and not expensive.

Ditto! Worth the small investment.

[chia]

We have this one -
www.amazon.com/dp/B004A82W0E/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=krissfacepage-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004A82W0E&adid=00DPBDH78GE72G605KE5

It has worked great on our azaleas, holly bushes, and some annoying nasty bushes that have been nearly impossible to cut with "normal" hedge clippers.

[dexteroni]

Oct 14, 2012 13:56:37 GMT -5 DarcyLongfellow said:

I feel like this is a trick question :-). Wouldn't you use hedge clippers?

I was thinking the same thing - uh, a hedge trimmer? I mean it sounds like it would be the best tool for the job. But the real answer is that we use a guy who takes care of it for us. I don't know what tool he uses.

[claireblue]

Oct 14, 2012 13:49:10 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

I came in here expecting "hedges" to be a euphemism for something else entirely and was all ready to rave about my beard and mustache trimmer. But you really were talking about hedges .

Carry on.

Ha ha! I thought the same thing.

[ddi741]

We use hand shears to do ours now but in the spring we are planning to hire someone to 'shape' them so they don't look like the wild mess they are now.

[whitepicketfence]

Oct 14, 2012 14:05:14 GMT -5 womet said:

Our electric hedge trimmers look like a large turkey carver/electric knife. Easy to use, and not expensive.

We have the same thing. They work really well and we only have to use them once a year.

[pitterwoo]

Oct 14, 2012 15:08:14 GMT -5 gardengal said:

I think it depends on the shrub.

So, I'd use pruners on an azalea & take out branches inside to maintain form/height. I, personally, do not like sheered azaleas. Not all shrubs like to be sheered (and, IMO, azaleas after years of sheering start to look haggard. Ready for the antedotes to fly!)

If your hedges are basically boxes, then sheering them with an electric hedge trimmer is OK.

This is my experience as well. Too many years of shearing and azaleas will be dead on the inside with green growth just at the tips. I will shear them and then take loppers to cut some branches back further to let some light in and break up the tight shape. There are videos on YouTube that are seriously helpful.