How to Cut a Hedge | Straight Cuts, Bottom to Top

Cutting a hedge well comes down to order: trim the sides first from bottom to top, then cut the top last. Keeping the base slightly wider than the top ensures sunlight reaches the lower branches, so your hedge stays full and green from ground to crown instead of going bare and woody underneath.

Prepare the Hedge Before You Cut

Walk the full length of the hedge first. Spot uneven growth, unruly branches, and any obstacles sitting against the base. Remove these stray branches before you set up so your guide strings can stretch straight and taut.

Clear the work area of anything that might get in the way, and lay down a tarp or sheeting to catch clippings. Check for obstacles along the cut line, especially if you’re using electric or petrol-powered trimmers.

For a formal hedge, set guide strings between stakes at your desired height. Use strings to mark both the top plane and the side planes — that’s the difference between a clean straight line and a wavy one. A string line pulled tight between two stakes is the single best tool you own for this job.

Cut the Sides First, Bottom to Top

Trim the sides first, working from the bottom upward. This is the order that matters most: cutting top-down drops debris onto uncut growth below and hides your working line.

Work in smooth arcs or horizontal passes, keeping the blades parallel to the hedge face. Step back regularly — every few passes — to check alignment and symmetry. It’s the only way to catch a wobbly line before it becomes a permanent feature.

Shape the hedge so it’s slightly wider at the base than at the top.

Cut the Top Last, Then Clear Clippings

Trim the top last in most cases. Cut along your string line, and use a level if you want the top perfectly horizontal. For a tall hedge, you may need to start with the top instead so you can see what you’re doing — but for a chest-high hedge, sides first, then top, is the sequence that works.

Once the cuts are done, clear the clippings. Rake or blow them off the top of the hedge so light reaches the cut stems — leaving them piled up blocks light and slows regrowth. Compost them or dispose of them through your local green waste collection.

Timing, Safety, and Common Mistakes

Timing depends on the hedge. Spring-flowering hedges get trimmed only after they finish flowering. Before any light shaping between March and September, check for breeding birds’ nests. More severe pruning can wait until October.

Safety comes first with power equipment. Wear appropriate clothing and eye protection, especially with electric or petrol trimmers. Use stable access equipment — secure the ladder properly and never overreach. Tall hedges often need a pole saw or chainsaw rather than a hedge trimmer, so match the tool to the job.

Stop before cutting into old, brown wood that has no green growth on it. Once you cut into dead wood, it won’t regrow, and you’ll be left with a permanent bare patch. When the job calls for a fresh tool, check out our roundup of the best corded hedge cutters for reliable, consistent power on larger hedges.

FAQs

How much of a hedge can I cut at once?

Cutting more than that stresses the plant and can leave permanent bare patches, especially if you cut into old brown wood that no longer has green growth on it.

What is the best time of year to trim a hedge?

Trim spring-flowering hedges only after they finish blooming. For most other hedges, do light shaping between March and September — but check for breeding birds’ nests first. Save heavier pruning for October onward, when birds have finished nesting.

Why is my hedge bare at the bottom?

A hedge goes bare at the bottom when the top shades out the lower branches.