Hedge trimming is a procedure that has a decisive influence on its formation and desired shape. To make a fence made of living plants look well-groomed, you need to know the secrets proper care behind this element of the landscape.
For this it is necessary understand: how to choose the best date for pruning hedges, how to prune bushes correctly so that new branches grow quickly, and the hedge itself is dense and healthy. You also need to understand the difference between pruning coniferous and deciduous trees, as well as what tools to choose for comfortable pruning of plants.
Planning When arranging a hedge to protect your site from prying eyes, noise and a busy street, or to camouflage some places in the garden, for example, a composter pit or a garbage container, you should think about caring for the future hedge.
And in order to to hedge coped with the protective and decorative function at the same time, it is necessary to fulfill the requirements for systematic care if we want to get a great-looking planting.
When to trim a hedge?
After planting the bushes For hedges, many beginners are confused about when and how to start their first pruning?
The first thing is need to remember: Don't be afraid of pruning. If everything is done correctly, the plants will respond with rapid growth and lush branching.
But for such an effect hedge must be pruned systematically. Otherwise, some species will lose their shape, which will worsen their decorative effect.
There are bushes, which can forgive the forgetfulness of gardeners, but there are those who immediately react to the lack of formative pruning. These types include evergreens, such as arborvitae or cypress trees. If you do not form their crown even within one season, this will lead to excessive growth of new shoots in width and the inability to restore their previous shape.
Why is this happening? Timely pruning allows shrubs to form new growth points. In the absence of such a procedure, the woody parts of the bushes cannot independently form new buds for growth, thanks to which the plant would create more branches and restore its original shape. At the same time, too much pruning can harm the plants, so you need to carefully monitor this activity.
This rule does not apply to yew. This kind coniferous species recovers well even after very severe pruning, restoring its shape within a season. It usually looks even better after heavy pruning than before. This is due to the presence of a large number of dormant buds on the branches of the plant, which are quickly activated when necessary.
First formative pruning should be carried out in the spring, when the danger of more severe frosts has passed. Young plants are pruned at a height of 20-30 cm from the soil surface, regardless of whether it is part of a hedge or just shrubs that grow in the garden area.
This procedure will lead to thicken the bushes from the very base, thanks to which the future hedge will receive a beautiful, compact structure along its entire height.
Next trim Hedging should be done at least once a year, resulting in new growth ranging from 2 to 30 cm, depending on what type of hedge we are growing and how many seasons we are going to devote to its formation.
Best time for pruning March-April, when the plants are just starting to grow and the weather is warm and sunny. This time is best for formative activities, as it promotes rapid healing of wounds after pruning, which is especially important if we want to avoid possible fight with fungal diseases.
During the season Additional pruning can be done, especially for fast-growing shrubs. The last pruning should, however, take place no later than the first ten days of August, so that the new shoots can become woody before winter. Otherwise, there is a high probability of frostbite in the highest parts of the hedge.
Methods for pruning hedges
Regardless Depending on what types of plants create a hedge, you should always start pruning the bushes on the sides. To make the cutting line as straight as possible, you must first align the side branches parallel to the topmost shoots, and then remove the elongated branches in height so that they create one flat plane.
If you use electric scissors, then the direction of movement should go from bottom to top, removing fragments of protruding side shoots, and then make a second pass to align the branches at the same level.
When work with the side parts finished, begin trimming the top (the so-called ridge). This must be done while holding the scissors horizontally, making half turns to the right and left with the torso.
This action will provide more uniform cutting lines when the power tool moves. This will greatly facilitate any correction and prevent significant deviations in the cutting plane.
At the end you need check the result of your work to ensure that the corners of the fence correspond to what they should be. If necessary, you need to align them. All cut branches and shoots are removed after pruning.
Wood material can be reused as organic fertilizers by sending them to compost pit, having previously been crushed in a crusher.
After formative pruning you can apply multicomponent fertilizer with a high nitrogen content and monitor sufficient level humidity around the bushes. This will lead to rapid growth of new shoots and an overall improvement in the condition of the hedge.
Coniferous trees need more careful pruning, because not all coniferous trees tolerate pruning well. The appropriate trimming date is very important for these breeds.
For hedges, the first pruning is important next year after landing in order to root system strengthened.
Correct hedge structure
Correctly selected The shape of a hedge is essential. There are plants for which it is important to maintain a certain shape, which improves the general condition of the plants and depends on the growing position.
In places, significantly shaded, you should make sure that the fence has a trapezoidal cross-section.
Main advantages This form ensures uniform access of light to all tiers, which leads to uniform coloring of the leaves along the entire height of the side wall and its even growth.
Care in this case is to trim regularly side shoots plants to keep the hedge in its proper shape.
If we want to have a fence with such a cross-section and a height of more than 3 meters, then we need to choose yew or elm for this purpose.
In order to get a hedge free form, you can plant privet, barberry or even cherry laurel, but you should form the crest of such a planting in the shape of an arch.
This form will do more and more soft and appearance a garden surrounded by such a fence will change significantly. This planting should also be slightly widened closer to the ground for the reasons mentioned earlier.
Forming an arched shape in this case it takes a little more practice. But to make this event much easier, you can use a cutting form in the form of a light frame made of arched polypropylene pipes, covered with a mesh that will be the defining plane for the cutting level.
This method is tested and has been practiced for many years by a large group of gardeners who are partial to the design of both low and high hedges. In the same way, you can form rose gardens that consist of bushes or park roses.
Using Templates You can successfully create not only hedges, but also trim individual bushes, creating garden architecture.
Hedge trimming tools
During hedge care need to be selected the right tools for trimming. When trimming low hedges consisting of perennial shrubs with thin branches, you can use garden shears and pruning shears.
For sanitary pruning It is enough to use loppers. And if the bushes have thicker and lignified shoots, then garden pruners will help us trim dry or healthy branches at the base of the trunk. In addition to mechanical tools, electric ones can also be used. Properly selected power tools will provide us with professional, fast and flawless pruning of shoots.
For formative pruning For hedges we will need pruners and garden shears.
Secateurs These are the most popular and in demand tools used to trim trees and shrubs. Using pruners you can:
- form a crown;
- remove dried branches and twigs with a diameter of 20 mm to 25 mm;
- cut out “wen” (non-fruiting branches).
There are two types of secateurs on the market:
- with double-sided blade sharpening;
- with one-sided sharpening of the blades, which is otherwise called bypass.
These pruners differ in that a tool with double-sided sharpening is suitable for removing dry branches. And bypass pruners are more suitable for caring for living branches.
Double-sided pruners, make a very traumatic cut. Their next disadvantage is the presence of a so-called anvil, into which the blade rests during operation, which limits the ability to get to the base of the branch.
But these pruners do not jam during operation, which is important for processing large areas.
Bypass pruners have rounded blades that taper at the end. One blade serves as a support blade, the second as a working blade.
To make the cut neat and even, the tool is placed with the support blade down and the working blade up to the part of the trunk where the branch is being removed.
Bypass pruners divided by type:
- with a step mechanism (which allows you to remove thick shoots up to 25 mm);
- with conventional fastening (when a branch is cut with one squeeze of the handles);
- on a tape spring (more reliable);
- on a coil spring.
Gardening scissors are another tool that gardeners use, but they are not suitable for pruning trees. Garden shears are used purposefully to form hedges, separately growing bushes in landscape architecture, and low conifers. Pruning shears are the main tool in topiary art.
Externally and in principle scissors are similar to a classic tool, but have long sharpened blades and the same handles. When working with them, both hands are always used. Garden shears are suitable for cutting branches, leaves, and pine needles.
Gardening scissors divided according to the classification of work performed:
- for the formation of hedges from coniferous or deciduous trees;
- for pruning coniferous trees (use wavy blades for improved fixation of needles);
- for curly cutting of herbaceous plants;
- for use in hard to reach places where the lawn mower cannot fit.
Gardening scissors can be mechanical or electrical. When choosing this tool you need to pay attention to:
- blade quality;
- sharpening;
- a gap between them (ideally there should not be one);
- comfortable handles;
- operating time (if the tool is battery-powered);
- manufacturer's brand.
And for those who want to know more, we suggest you watch a video about trimming hedges
A phenomenon popular throughout the world is accessible to every person. You just need to learn how to grow bushes correctly.
Purpose and forms
This is very effective remedy not only in terms of work, but also in terms of work. It can perform many functions. First of all, you have the opportunity to isolate yourself from the annoying glances of passersby.
Depending on the shape the fence is given, it is divided into:
Each profile is created using different instruments and types. For example, a rectangular shape can be created using views. If they are light-loving, then with this shape of the bush lower leaves may die off.
If you want to achieve a triangle shape, then you need to trim the bushes at 80° on both sides. The most optimal is a trapezoidal hedge, as it allows all leaves and shoots to receive the optimal amount sunlight, which means it is suitable for many types.
A circle of plants is the most difficult to create; it requires certain skills. Therefore, this form is used most rarely, although it looks very harmonious on any site.
If the territory of the dacha allows, then you can organize the second type - a free-growing hedge. Its width, unlike the previous one, can reach up to 3 m. 
Such hedges are created from plants that do not tolerate pruning well. Instead, they take advantage of their aesthetics - beautifully growing ones that are large and bright.
All this gives the site a solemn look. They are usually planted taking into account the color of the leaves or themselves and creating a unique palette of colors.
Did you know? In Europe, parks with figures made in the form of animals, people and geometric shapes, began to appear during the Renaissance.
How often should you cut your hair?
A free-growing hedge can only be trimmed once a year or twice, just to trim the bushes. This is also necessary to stimulate flowering. Although this procedure can not be done at all.
As for the trimmed type of hedges, then, of course, everything is a little more complicated. In the first years, it is necessary to carry out a haircut once a year. This happens in early autumn or late spring.
This way the plant will rapidly gain height, much faster than with a single cutting. It is necessary to monitor the hedge, and then you yourself will understand when you need to prune the bushes - when the clear lines of the figure are lost and young shoots appear. 
If you planted the plant in the fall, you will have to prune it for the first time in the spring of next year. If it has been growing on the site since spring or summer, then you will have to prune it after you have planted it.
If the hedge consists of, then it is not worth cutting it. This can be done no more than once a year, so that it grows better.
Pruning shrubs in groups
Robert Marclay, a German gardening expert, divided them into special groups. This was necessary in order to make it easier to understand which plants need to be pruned and at what period. 
First
The first group includes those that do not require trimming bushes in the spring. This happens because this group contains mainly specimens that have a low ability to regenerate, and accordingly, they need to be cut less often.
Except long period growth, the plant is extremely difficult to tolerate wounds inflicted on it. It is enough to trim only old branches so as not to harm the bushes.
The first group includes plants such as, cherry laurel.
Second
The second group includes those that begin to bloom earlier than the others. In such cases, pruning is carried out after the end of the flowering period.
The process is to remove old flowers. This way you will give way to new ones. There is no need to carry out any additional procedures.
Important! If you prune the second type of shrubs in early spring, then they will not produce flowers, since there were buds on the cut shoots.
It is necessary to prune faded branches by one third. This approach will promote abundant flowering. Be careful not to trim branches at the same height every year.If you do this, the branch will become compacted and a painful growth will appear on it. It will not allow the plant to send out new shoots from below.
The second group includes, kolkvitsia, early flowering, as well as.
The second group formed a small addition: subgroup 2a. It includes those shrubs that need total pruning. These include gorse, etc.
Usually, after the flowering period, they need to be cut back to the ground, or to new shoots. So next year they will produce lush flowers.
Third
The third group includes those hedges that have a late flowering period. If this happens, it means that the buds and shoots were formed in the same year. 
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My first acquaintance with hydrogel took place a long time ago. Back in the nineties, my husband brought funny multi-colored balls from Japan, which greatly increased in size when filled with water. They were supposed to be used for bouquets or for some other decorative purposes. Of course, at first it was funny, but then I got tired of playing and abandoned them, I don’t even remember where they went. But I recently returned to using hydrogel. I will tell you about my experience in this article.
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In order for a hedge to please the eye with its fresh green and neat appearance, it is necessary to trim it regularly. Trimming not only makes your hedge look neat decorative look, but also contributes to the formation of a denser crown, increased growth of lateral branches and leaves of plants.
Newly planted hedges from young plants require a single annual pruning in the first two years, which is carried out in early spring or late autumn. In the future, the number of haircuts per season can be increased as needed up to 2 – 3 times a year.
Tools
For trimming young hedges, do not large sizes preferable to use hand tool- pruning shears or garden shears - they injure the plant less, after such cutting there are more whole living leaves left, and the cutting itself will be done more carefully. For more mature plants and larger hedges, use electric tools: brush cutter, chainsaw, electric scissors. Important nuance when preparing the tool, make sure that the blades are sharpened very well and evenly, otherwise the cut ends of the branches will be injured and become split.
In order to give the fence the intended shape with straight lines, cutting is carried out along a stretched cord or using a special frame for a fence made of brightly colored wire.
The first stage is pruning the plants
Plants with a poorly formed crown are cut to half their length. The branches of well-formed mature plants are cut back by a third. This pruning is done the next season after planting. So, if the plants were planted in the spring, then the first pruning is carried out in the fall.
The second stage is the formation of a hedge
The purpose of shaping is to give the hedge the desired profile and increase the density of the branches. Often, when cutting a hedge, they try to give it a regular rectangular cut shape with flat tops and sides. In this case, it is desirable that the height of the fence be significantly greater than the width, otherwise the lower shoots lack light, become bare and die. The most natural forms of cutting are round or trapezoidal profiles with a wider base at the bottom, then all shoots of the plant develop in good light conditions and the hedge retains a beautiful, well-groomed appearance for a long time.
The first formative pruning of a deciduous hedge is carried out in the second year after planting. In young plants, no more than a third of the annual growth of shoots is cut off; in mature plants, the growth rate of shoots is lower, so the branches are cut off to half the growth. Unnecessary length is removed by making an oblique cut over a well-developed bud. Proper pruning stimulates the growth of new branches with larger leaves.
When forming rectangular shapes, the branches on the sides of the hedge need to be cut deeper than at the top. It is very important to carry out sanitary pruning in a timely manner - trim dry old weak branches, as well as shoots affected by pests.
If the hedge has lost its decorative effect, measures are taken to rejuvenate it. In this case, a rejuvenating haircut is carried out, which includes two stages: in the first year, a deep haircut is carried out only on one side, retreating 10 cm from the trunk; in the second year, a deep haircut is carried out on the opposite side.
Each type of plant from which a hedge is formed has its own peculiarities in cutting. Let's list some of them.
Coniferous hedge
Spruce hedges are quite shade-tolerant, but regular trimming should be carefully observed. Neglected coniferous hedges cannot be corrected, as the branches become too powerful and cannot be pruned. In the first year after planting, the plants are given the opportunity to adapt and are not pruned. The following year, pruning is carried out in May or June, shortening the apical shoots by about a third of the length, and the lateral shoots by two-thirds. In this case, it is necessary to strive to give the fence the desired profile. The most optimal profile is trapezoidal, but rectangular shape also acceptable. In subsequent years, the shape of the hedge is maintained by pruning, which is carried out at the end of June in the period before the formation of new buds.
Juniper and thuja hedges must be trimmed annually, giving them a trapezoidal shape. Trimming such hedges is much easier, but it is very important to maintain regular trimming, carrying it out at the end of each June.
Barberry hedge
Of all the shrubs, barberry retains its spectacular shape for the longest time after cutting; in addition, it can be successfully used to create quite complex curly profiles. The advantage of this plant is also that it has a huge number of varieties with the most various options coloring of leaves, which makes it possible to create very beautiful multi-colored hedges. You can trim a barberry hedge, even a very overgrown one, at any time of the year. Barberry tolerates pruning of 1-2 year old branches very well.
Hawthorn hedge
With timely trimming and care, a hawthorn hedge grows very thick, almost impenetrable. To create such a hedge, seedlings of the second year are cut at a height of 15 cm from the soil, and then one or two of the growing shoots are left, cutting off all the rest. Until the hedge grows to the desired height, the newly emerging shoots intertwine with each other. Hedge trimming is done every year in summer and spring.
Privet hedge
A very good feature of privet is its high ability to shoot. Thanks to this, a hedge made from this shrub is resistant to irregular haircuts and is easily restored even after pruning to a stump. Privet trimming begins as early as possible, at the moment when the planted plants begin to grow. First, only the tops of the shoots are lightly trimmed, after the branches grow 15 cm, the procedure is repeated. This stage of preparing the crown for formation lasts two years. Then you can begin to form the profile of the fence. The most optimal profile shape is trapezoidal. It is necessary to maintain the shape of the hedge with frequent regular haircuts 3-6 times a season from May to September.