The Best Shears to Trim Small Border Hedges

Hedge Shears

• Two types of trimmers can serve to prune hedges, according to the Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Science. Manual trimmers are essentially large scissors that you operate with two hands, one on each handle. These are perfect for small border hedges. Electric trimmers are like small chainsaws and are better for large jobs or when you have a large number of hedges to trim.

Proper Cutting Size

• Although manual hedge shears are best for general shaping and trimming of small-diameter branches, they are only one of the tools you should have in your trimming kit. Using shears that are too small to cut larger branches can cause injury. Disease-causing fungi and bacteria can enter through injuries on plants, so using the proper sized tool is important. For branches between a half-inch and 1 1/2 inches, use lopping shears. These have curved blades and long handles for added leverage. For large stems from 1 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter, use a pruning saw.

Tool Maintenance

• Once you've found hedge shears, lopping shears and a pruning saw, you'll need to keep them in good shape. Tool maintenance is critical for making proper cuts and avoiding injury to your hedges. Regularly clean blades by wiping them with rubbing alcohol. This will ensure you kill any pathogens living in dirt on the blade. Oil blades after use, and keep them sharp with a few passes on a whetstone. Linseed oil on wooden handles can help keep them in good repair and give handles fresh paint when necessary.

Making the Proper Cut

• When you have the best tools for the job, it is easier to make good pruning cuts. You can cut small-diameter, succulent growth in any manner, but larger stems and branches of a half-inch or more need special attention. Make all cuts at a 45-degree angle, so water runs easily off the cut. If you are cutting back to a bud, cut to a half-inch above the bud. If you are cutting back to a main stem or lateral branch, don't cut flush to the wood. Instead, leave the raised swelling between branches intact. This swelling is called the branch collar and will help promote proper healing if it's left on the tree.