Beatrice Lang
Maintaining your bushes and hedges is important for a well-manicured lawn and can increase the curb appeal of your home. Using an electric trimmer is an easy and safe way to trim tall branches without needing a ladder. There are a few things to keep in mind when using an electric trimmer: be aware of your surroundings, clear the area of obstacles, and protect yourself by wearing safety gear such as eye goggles, hearing protection, and gloves. When using a corded electric trimmer, be mindful of the extension cord. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve professional-quality results and keep your landscaping looking beautiful.
How to trim bushes with an electric trimmer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Wear eye goggles, hearing protection, work gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, and closed-toe shoes. Keep children and pets away from the area. |
| Preparation | Clear the area of obstacles, including hoses and wires. Be mindful of the extension cord if using a corded trimmer. |
| Technique | Start at the base and make large, upward sweeping cuts. Trim the sides first, then level off the top. Leave the bottom part of the hedge wider than the top. Take breaks to step back and assess the shape. |
| Maintenance | Clean and oil your trimmer regularly to prevent the spread of disease between plants. |
| Timing | Trim in late winter or early spring to cut back overgrown hedges. Trim in summer to maintain shape and height. Avoid trimming in autumn due to the presence of fungi spores. |
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What You'll Learn
Safety precautions
Trimming bushes and hedges can be a safe and enjoyable activity if you follow some simple safety precautions. Here are some essential safety guidelines to keep in mind when using an electric trimmer to maintain your outdoor space:
Know Your Equipment
Before you start, familiarise yourself with your trimmer. Read the instructional manual provided with your trimmer to understand its specific safety features and guidelines. Different trimmers have different capabilities, so it is important to know the limitations and appropriate usage of your equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment
Protect yourself by wearing the appropriate safety gear. This includes eye protection such as goggles, ear protection or earplugs, work gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and close-toed shoes. If you are sensitive to pollen or landscaping debris, wear a face mask to shield your nose and mouth.
Clear the Work Area
Ensure the work area is free of obstacles and potential hazards. Look out for hoses, wires, or any other hidden objects that could be dangerous. Keep pets and children well away from the work area. If using a corded electric trimmer, be mindful of the extension cord at all times to avoid tripping hazards.
Technique and Maintenance
When using the trimmer, work at a leisurely pace and allow the blades to do the cutting. Take frequent breaks to step back and assess the shape of the bushes and your progress. Use handheld pruning tools for hard-to-reach areas and for a more defined finish. Keep your trimming tools clean and well-maintained to ensure they are in good working condition.
Timing and Plant Care
Understand the plant species you are trimming to determine the best time for trimming. Aim for limited humidity, clear skies, and cooler weather to reduce the risk of infection or disease. Avoid trimming in early to late autumn in temperate areas due to the presence of fungi spores that can infect hedges. Regular trims and pruning help prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases, increase sunlight exposure, improve airflow, and enhance water delivery to the roots.
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How to avoid damaging the bush
To avoid damaging the bush when using an electric trimmer, there are several precautions you can take. Firstly, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and clear the work area of any obstacles, including hidden hoses and wires. This will help you avoid accidentally cutting through something you didn't intend to. It is also crucial to keep children and pets away from the area for their safety. When using a corded electric trimmer, always be mindful of the extension cord to avoid tripping or accidentally unplugging the device. Take your time and work at a leisurely pace, allowing the blades to do the cutting.
Before you start trimming, it is recommended to lay down a tarp to make cleanup easier. Identify the growth you want to remove and thin out spots on the thick outer cover. Cut back along the branch just above the new growth or at the plant base, being careful not to damage the inner limbs that need access to air and sunlight. Avoid using electric trimmers for fine pruning; instead, use hand pruners for branches that are too thick or in hard-to-reach spots.
When shaping your bushes, you can use your house, siding, or other objects as a guide for cutting straight lines. For more precision, pros use stakes and strings as guides, positioning the strings with a level for perfection. Remember to step back occasionally to check your work and ensure you are achieving the desired shape. If you are pruning mature, overgrown shrubs, start by removing the thickest branches first to reduce the risk of damaging the bush.
To minimise damage to the plant and future maintenance needs, consider the number of cuts you make. Typically, 10-20 cuts are sufficient for most shrubs. However, if you want a tighter form or a more traditional landscape look, you may need up to 50-100 cuts. Hand pruning can be a healthier alternative to electric trimmers as it prevents shredded leaves and jagged branch tips, and accidentally cutting off growth-regulating buds. It also helps control pests and increases oxygen flow to the plant by removing dead branches.
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The best time to trim
Trimming your bushes regularly is an important part of any landscaping maintenance routine. The best time to trim your bushes depends on the weather, the plant species, and the growth cycle stage.
Firstly, you should understand the plant species you are dealing with, as this will help you determine the best time to trim. Some plants are more susceptible to infection or disease, so trimming when there are limited humidity and clear skies is ideal. Cooler weather is preferable, as it reduces the risk of infection or disease. If you live in a temperate area, avoid trimming in early to late autumn due to the abundance of fungi spores that can infect your hedges. Instead, opt for late winter or early spring for cutting back overgrown hedges. Summer is best for light trims to maintain the shape and height of your bushes.
Secondly, consider the growth cycle stage of your bushes. If you notice new buds on your hedge, it is a good time to trim, as this indicates active growth. Trimming your bushes regularly will allow them to benefit from increased sunlight, improved airflow, and better water delivery to the roots. This can help prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases while keeping your plants healthy.
Finally, if you are working with a corded electric trimmer, ensure you are mindful of the extension cord at all times. Clear the work area of any obstacles, and be aware of hidden hoses or wires. Keep children and pets away from the area. It is also important to wear protective gear, including eye goggles, hearing protection, work gloves, long sleeves, pants, and close-toed shoes.
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Trimming technique
Before you begin, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Clear the area of all obstacles, and look out for any hoses or wires that may be hidden by the hedge. Ensure that children and pets are kept well away from the area. If you are using a corded electric trimmer, be mindful of the extension cord at all times. It is also important to wear protective clothing, including eye goggles, hearing protection, work gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, trousers, and close-toed shoes.
When using an electric hedge trimmer, the easiest way to get the shape and height you want is to start at the base and make large, sweeping cuts in an upward direction. Once the sides have been trimmed, the top can be levelled off with ease. You should also aim to mimic the natural shape of the bush or shrub, as this will make maintenance easier in the long run.
Take your time and work at a leisurely pace, allowing the blades to do the cutting. Step back frequently to assess the shape and ensure that the bottom part of the bush is wider than the top. This is because the lower branches receive less sunlight, so they die more quickly. Overcompensating for this will ensure that the bush maintains an even shape and does not grow weak.
If you are using a battery-powered trimmer, you will benefit from increased freedom of movement and no longer need to worry about cutting through power cords or tripping over them. However, be sure to check that the battery is fully charged before you begin.
If you are trimming particularly thick branches, you may need to use a pair of bypass hand pruners to cut them. This is also a good option for branches that are hard to reach with the trimmer.
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Electric trimmer maintenance
Maintaining your electric trimmer is essential to keep it in good working condition and ensure its longevity. Here are some detailed instructions for electric trimmer maintenance:
Cleaning the Trimmer:
- Before cleaning, always unplug the power cord or detach the battery to ensure the trimmer is deactivated.
- Use the small brush that comes with the trimmer to remove hair and debris caught in the teeth. Carefully remove the head and sweep away any hair or debris inside.
- For a deeper clean, submerge the trimmer teeth in warm water with disinfectant for about 10 minutes to kill bacteria. Ensure the blades are dry before doing this to avoid sticky hair buildup.
- Tap your trimmer after each use to prevent hair and skin buildup.
- If your trimmer is cordless, check its specifications to see if it is waterproof. Some trimmers can be rinsed with water, while others cannot.
Lubrication:
- Lubricate the blades with vegetable or olive oil to maintain their sharpness and prevent dust and debris buildup.
- Use an eye-dropper or pipette to apply a few drops of oil directly to the blades, then spread it with a toothbrush.
- Wipe away any excess oil and store the trimmer in a dry, dust-free place.
Other Maintenance Tips:
- Keep the trimmer and its accessories organized and stored in a safe place, like a garage or tool shed, away from moisture and dust.
- Refer to the instruction manual for specific care and maintenance guidelines for your trimmer model.
- For electric trimmers, ensure the power cord is not damaged and always be mindful of it while trimming.
- Wear protective gear, including eye goggles, hearing protection, gloves, long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes when using the trimmer.
By following these maintenance steps, you can keep your electric trimmer in optimal condition and ensure safe and efficient trimming.
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Frequently asked questions
Before you start, clear the area of obstacles, including children and pets. Wear protective clothing, including eye goggles, hearing protection, work gloves, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, and closed-toe shoes. If you are sensitive to pollen or landscaping debris, wear a face mask.
First, cut out any dead wood and older growth from the point of origin. Then, make sweeping cuts inwards, angling the trimmer slightly to avoid cutting a main trunk. Start at the base and move upward to get the desired shape and height. Take breaks to step back and assess the shape.
Once the sides are trimmed, level off the top. Use hand shears to make finishing touches.
Regular trimming and pruning help prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases. They also increase sunlight, improve airflow, and enhance water delivery to the roots.
When using a corded electric trimmer, be mindful of the extension cord and any other wires or hoses in the area.
