Hedges are some of the most important components of a home, especially a traditional home. Some years ago, they were used to keep farm animals in or out of the fields, marking the boundaries and ownership. Hedges can be very helpful in preventing soil erosion, pollution, regulating water supply, and even reducing floods. However, you have to maintain them to enjoy all these benefits and that’s where professional hedge trimming in Auckland comes in.
Normally, you have to trim hedges at least twice a year. When it comes to that, you need to consider the type or variety of the hedge you’ve planted. Trimming them prevents overgrowing, which can impact the aesthetics of your home or cause more harm than good.
Pro Tips For Hedge Trimming in Auckland
What are their Habits?
Determine the habits of your hedges before you start trimming them. For dormant buds, a branch will sprout into new ones below the cut. You must ensure that you don’t trim your hedges too harshly. Instead, prune your evergreens only into the new growth of the year. For deciduous shrubs, you don’t have to worry so much about trimming into the old wood from the previous growing seasons.
Choose the right tools
Assemble all the appropriate tools you need depending on the size of your hedges. If you have small hedges, utilize manual hedge cutters or scissors. On the other hand, use electric cutters if your hedges are large. The cutters you utilize should include a trimming notch otherwise you should look for hand pruners. Moreover, you’ll need to find a tarp for all the trimmings.
Best Time To Trim Hedges
Always trim hedges during the planting season. Ensure you trim the privet to reduce the shrub height when you’re planning a new hedge. Trimming the hedges at this period also ensures that branches don’t spread too much. Privet is the flowering plant in the Ligustrum species and the type has about 50 species of erect, deciduous, or evergreen shrubs. For conifers and evergreens that grow slowly, avoid trimming the tops and wait until they attain a reasonable height.
Setting an Outline
An outline will help ensure that you do an even and neat trimming. You can start by hammering stakes at each corner of the hedge. Tie a string on one stick a few inches above the ground. Take the string to the other side at the end of the hedge and tie it at the same level.
Repeat this for the upper section on another side. Keep the strong below a few inches off the top for the upper end.
Trim Beautifully
You have to trim the fence beautifully. Utilize the stakes to guide your trimming for the top and the strings for the sides. Ensure you cut off any foliage and steams sticking out past the strong. All parts of your hedges need sufficient sunlight to enable proper growth.
As they begin to grow, trim the sides. The bottom of the plant needs to be a bit wider than the top to prevent the lower ones from getting the shade. If you live in a region with a snowy climate, a rounded or sloped top for the hedge will be appropriate. That will ensure the hedges get rid of the snow with ease.
Maintain a suitable fullness and shape when pruning. Trim deciduous hedges during their dormant stage, which is in the late summers and later winters. Young evergreens should be trimmed in the mid and late spring to the late summer. Avoid cutting into old wood. Once you finish pruning the hedges, apply some fertilization with compost to enhance the growing speed.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance of hedges is important if you want to enjoy all its benefits. Trimming can be a time-consuming and demanding process. You don’t have to do it yourself if you don’t have the experience or tools for the job. Hire professional hedge trimming in Auckland and they will produce the best results.