Gardens and green spaces

Can every hedge be cut hard at the same time of year?

Timing and severity depend on the species, flowering and condition. Many conifers will not recover bare patches after hard cutting into old wood.

NAPREMO guide · Updated: 4 November 2026.

What you can do

  1. Identify the plant and whether you want light shaping or a substantial reduction.
  2. Check for nests and bird activity; postpone work if present.
  3. Do only light appropriate trimming after checking species guidance, using safe ground-level access and suitable tools.

How to tell whether it helped

A straight outline is not the only measure of success. Exposed old wood may never green over in some species.

When to stop

Stop if the species is unknown, hard reduction is planned or ladders and nearby power lines are involved.

How NAPREMO can help

NAPREMO green can assess timing and scope. Send close-up foliage photos and the approximate hedge height and length.

Technical references

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