How to Prune a Tall Hedge

A row of tall hedges is like a living fence that also provides noise control and privacy. Some hedges can grow up 20 feet tall. Once they reach a considerable height, however, they can be difficult to maintain and keep looking attractive. Keep your hedges at a reasonable height by pruning them back once or twice a year. Trim your hedges for major growth in the winter or early spring. Make minor adjustments to their unruly nature in the summer.

Platform ladder
Hedge clippers
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Rent or purchase a platform ladder and set it up next to your hedgerow. This will enable you to work among the hedges easily, without worrying about falling or holding your trimmers overhead.
- 2
  Have a partner hold a tape measure on the ground and pull it up onto the ladder to determine how tall you want the hedgerow to be.
- 3
  Mark the hedges with spray paint or tie a string onto the last hedge and pull it straight across the row to serve as a guideline.
- 4
  Trim the hedges with your hedge clippers. Get down occasionally to check your progress or have your partner let you know if you're not cutting straight.
- 5
  Use your pruning shears or clippers to trim the sides of the hedges, shaping them how you like. Cut at a 45-degree angle and start clipping at the bottom, working your way up to the top.
- 6
  Leave the hedge base wider than the top to allow for more stability and better air circulation. This also enables the bottom of the hedges to receive some sunlight.

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