For homeowners
How often should I trim my hedges?
Short answer
Most hedges need trimming once or twice a year. Fast growers and formal, sharp-edged hedges may need it more often. Timing depends on the plant, so check what kind of hedge you have.
By Umair Nawaz. Published October 25, 2026. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
The longer answer
A common plan is a main trim in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts, and a light touch-up in summer if you want a neat shape. Flowering hedges are usually best trimmed soon after they bloom, so you do not cut off next year's flowers.
Avoid heavy trimming in late summer or fall. New growth may not toughen up before frost. Some evergreen hedges do not grow back from bare old wood, so do not cut deep into branches with no green on them.
Sharp tools make clean cuts. Keep each trim light, and trim so the base is a little wider than the top. Stay away from power lines, and hire a pro for tall hedges.
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