Planning Hedge Maintenance Without Losing Its Character

As summer growth slows, September can be a useful time to review how your hedges fit your garden. The right maintenance keeps them useful without automatically turning every hedge into a tightly clipped boundary.

A formal hedge needs a different approach from a mixed wildlife hedge. Regular light trimming may suit one, while selective, less frequent work may suit another. Species identification and the intended shape help determine the maintenance plan.

Source: RHS hedge-pruning advice

Consider what you want to retain as well as what you want removed. Privacy, flowers, berries and shelter may all be part of the hedge’s value. Look for bird activity before any work, even outside the main nesting months.

Photograph the whole boundary and note problem areas, such as growth obstructing a gate or narrowing a path. Explain whether you want a light tidy or a substantial change: these are different jobs and may require different timing.

Michael Wood (Morley) provides hedge maintenance across Leeds, Wakefield and surrounding Yorkshire areas. Contact us to discuss a suitable plan for your garden. Request a free quote

You can read more about our hedge cutting service, or see examples in Our Work.