Cutting Hedges
WHEN TO CUT
The ideal time to trim hedges varies by plant
type, but it is generally a good practice to trim
during periods of slow growth, after blooming is
complete Consult with a local plant nursery for
tips on trimming specific plants
Observe all applicable national and municipal
rules and regulations for cutting hedges
BASIC CUTTING
WARNING: Always be sure of footing
and hold the hedge trimmer firmly with
both hands while the motor is running.
Check the hedge for foreign objects prior to
cutting to avoid damaging the blades Remove
any objects that may impede cutting
Assume the proper grip and stance and start
the hedge trimmer Hold the hedge trimmer
with the cutting blades angled 5–10° toward
the direction of the cut (Fig 16)
FIG. 16
direction of cut
18
Operating the Hedge Trimmer
IMPORTANT: The cutting blades
occasionally bind and stop moving when
material becomes lodged in the cutting
blades or if cutting blades contact a wire
or chain-link fence. See "Correcting Blade
Bind" to learn how to fix this.
CUTTING SEQUENCE
If the hedge is well-trained, focus on trimming
new growth until the hedge is in the desired
shape
Once any large branches are removed, use the
hedge trimmer to trim the sides of the hedge to
the desired length Trim the top of hedge last
after the sides are complete
CUTTING VERTICALLY
When cutting the sides of the hedge, start at
the bottom of the hedge Hold the hedge
trimmer with the cutting blades angled 5–10°
toward the direction of the cut Move down the
line of the hedge, sweeping the hedge trimmer
slowly up and down in a wide arc (Fig 17)
5–10°
FIG. 17
Hedge Trimmer Model HT275