Pruning your hedge at the wrong time of year can be very bad news for your plants. It seems that you can work at any time, but before you take it out The best hedge trimmer Ahead of the spring bank holiday, you’ll want to hear what our experts have to say.
It turns out that three times you should absolutely avoid cutting them – and if you don’t, it can cause stress, susceptibility to pests and diseases, or plant death. With that in mind, it’s definitely worth paying attention to when trimming hedges And shouldn’t.
Below, we reveal the times of year you should avoid pruning hedges and how doing so can harm your plants’ long-term health.
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When is the worst time of year to cut hedges?
According to Tim Onslow-Free, associate arboricultural consultant at Taylor GrangeThe worst times of year to trim your hedges are in spring, late fall or during a heatwave.
“Pruning should be avoided during the peak of active spring growth, when trees are diverting energy into new leaf and shoot production. This can put them under unnecessary stress,” he explains.
“Pruning in late fall can be detrimental because it often promotes soft new growth that is highly susceptible to frost. The best time to trim your hedge“
Heatwaves are a bad time to cut your hedges because they can increase water stress.
Homebuilding News Editor, Joseph MullaneyHis garden has a laurel and box hedge, which he once decided to trim during the spring. As a result, he found that they took much longer to grow back, possibly because the plant’s growth cycle was interrupted, causing them to be stressed.
Tim has over 20 years of arboriculture experience, starting as a climbing arborist before moving into tree inspection and consultancy in both public and private sector roles.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self-build project, building his own house on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber-frame, three-bedroom house on an acre of land.
Can pruning at the wrong time damage my hedge?
Yes, if you prune a hedge at the wrong time, it can “significantly deplete energy reserves,” which can result in death. At the same time, you will also put the plant at a higher risk of pests and diseases, which can take advantage of its stressed state or enter through pruning cuts.
“Autumn and winter pruning increases the risk of infection because spores are more readily able to infect fresh pruning wounds at this time,” adds Tom Onslow-Free.
How often should I trim my hedges?
If you’re wondering how often you should trim your hedges, Tom Onslow-Free says little and often is the best approach.
“Extending the interval between mowing sessions increases the amount that needs to be removed at one time. This results in larger mowing in one session and a greater amount of foliage being removed, which can put the hedge under unnecessary stress,” he says.
Hedge trimmer
This lightweight, cordless hedge trimmer will make trimming an absolute breeze.
The health of your hedge isn’t the only reason to be mindful of pruning time – March to September is prime time for birds to nest, and it’s important (and legally required) not to disturb them.
For more gardening advice, read our guide on Trees to cut in spring and surrounding regulations Cut down a tree.
