Pruning your hedges at the wrong time of year can be very bad news for your plants. It might seem like a job you can tackle anytime, but before you whip out the best hedge trimmer ahead of the spring bank holiday, you’ll want to hear what our expert has to say.
It turns out there are three times you should absolutely avoid cutting them – and if you don’t, it can cause stress, susceptibility to pests and diseases, or even death to the plant. With that in mind, it’s definitely worth getting clued up on when trimming hedges should and shouldn’t be done.
Below, we reveal the times of year you should avoid pruning hedges and how doing so can damage the long-term health of your plants.
Article continues belowWhen is the worst time of year to prune hedges?
According to Tim Onslow-Free, Associate Arboricultural Consultant at Tyler Grange, the worst time of the year to prune your hedges is during the spring, late autumn or a heatwave.
"Pruning should be avoided during the peak of active spring growth, when trees are diverting energy into producing new leaves and shoots. This can place them under unnecessary stress," he explains.
"Pruning in the late autumn can be damaging because it often encourages soft new growth that is highly vulnerable to frost. This is a particularly important consideration when deciding the best time to cut your hedge."
Heatwaves are also a bad time to prune your hedges as it can increase water stress.
Homebuilding's news editor, Joseph Mullane, has laurel and box hedges in his garden, which he once decided to trim during the spring. As a result, he noticed that they took much longer to grow back, likely because the plants’ growth cycles were disrupted, putting them under stress.
Tim has over 20 years’ experience in arboriculture, starting out as a climbing arborist before moving into tree inspection and consultancy within both public and private sector roles.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field.
Can pruning at the wrong time damage my hedge?
Yes, if you prune a hedge at the wrong time, it can "significantly deplete the energy reserves," which may result in dieback. At the same time, you also expose the plant to a higher risk of pests and diseases, which may take advantage of its stressed state or enter through the pruning cuts.
"Pruning in autumn and winter increases the risk of infection because spores are most readily able to infect fresh pruning wounds at this time," adds Tom Onslow-Free.
How often should I prune my hedges?
If you’re wondering how often you should trim your hedges, Tom Onslow-Free says that little and often is the best approach.
"Extending the interval between pruning sessions increases the amount that needs to be removed at once. This leads to larger pruning cuts and a greater volume of foliage being taken off in a single session, which can place the hedge under unnecessary stress," he says.
This lightweight, cordless hedge trimmer will make pruning an absolute breeze.
Your hedge's health isn't the only reason to be mindful of pruning times – March to September is a key period for bird nesting, and it's important (and legally required) not to disturb them.
For more gardening advice, read our guide on which trees to prune in spring and the rules around cutting down a tree.
