Hedge cutting techniques

[Jack.P]

Say if you are cutting overgrown  privet or laurel hedges taking about 3 ft off tops and side .(and job in question doing about a 40m run of domestic medium sized  hedges )

There has been some questioning though if I’ve got the best time efficient technique.I tend to go down sides first then put the top angle on with long reach cutter then cut the long stuff in one swipe then rake it off the top followed by cutting remaining stuff to fine finish then all raked up into builders bag and remaining leaves blown back into hedge.

sometimes on other jobs might just  mulch it fine and leave it in the top of hedges but that isn’t that quick either or done to same standards. I like to do it to this standard so hopefully people notice the difference 

a lot of people I’ve seen on there hedge work seem to just leave most of the material left in the hedge which is bit of a lazy bodge way of doing it.

 

[gary112]

19 minutes ago, Jack.P said:

Say if you are cutting overgrown  privet or laurel hedges taking about 3 ft off tops and side .(and job in question doing about a 40m run of domestic medium sized  hedges )

There has been some questioning though if I’ve got the best time efficient technique.I tend to go down sides first then put the top angle on with long reach cutter then cut the long stuff in one swipe then rake it off the top followed by cutting remaining stuff to fine finish then all raked up into builders bag and remaining leaves blown back into hedge.

sometimes on other jobs might just  mulch it fine and leave it in the top of hedges but that isn’t that quick either or done to same standards. I like to do it to this standard so hopefully people notice the difference 

a lot of people I’ve seen on there hedge work seem to just leave most of the material left in the hedge which is bit of a lazy bodge way of doing it.

 

Who questioned your technique?

[Mick Dempsey]

If you’re taking three foot off a laurel side is a hedgecutter enough?

 

I tend to get medieval and use a chainsaw for that.

[Stubby]

5 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

If you’re taking three foot off a laurel side is a hedgecutter enough?

 

I tend to get medieval and use a chainsaw for that.

Not finished with the holms here . gonna get medieval on you ass . ?

Edited July 13, 2020 by Stubby

[Jack.P]

9 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

If you’re taking three foot off a laurel side is a hedgecutter enough?

 

I tend to get medieval and use a chainsaw for that.

Yeah the wood is very soft .even cut 6ft ones before to the ground with a freshly sharpened  hedge cutter .it is mostly just those nasty privet things to sort out  

[Mick Dempsey]

Anyway, to answer your question.

 

It depends, on how neat they want the finish.

Normally on a laurel hedge hack back, I’ll pick up the worst of the rakings and blow the remains underneath.

 

Chipping wise, I prefer to blow it I to the back of the van, I will send it into the hedge but it can strip branches and leave unsightly piles.

 

All depends on the client’s expectations. 

Edited July 13, 2020 by Mick Dempsey

[Jack.P]

That is a good point .Also from what I’ve seen most hedge maintenance work isn’t done that great at all.seems that companies quote for the job then just do it to minimum acceptable standard and make more profit out of it but apparently similar things is pretty common  in a lot  of trades .Once got 100 quid tip from a hedge job .some will notice the attention to detail

 

[Thesnarlingbadger]

Most privet hedges around this way are in and around old council houses. Likely good of getting £100 tip is slim to none. I would say we clear the worst of the crap out and blow the last bits under. As mick said I’ve been known to get a 66 out on a privet and run along the top of it, looks messy but neater than a flail and in 2 weeks time the new growth is back covering it all up. However if the client would like a neat tidy job done and is willing to pay. I’ll get the loppers out.

[Jack.P]

Yes the privet ones are nasty things but connifers are the one I hate the most and burn ya eyes if the clippings land in there 

Yew and Portuguese laurels are nice though but not cheap .very few will pay out to remove a line of scruffy bushes then replant afterwards 

[Mick Dempsey]

I have sort of made a bit of a speciality of hedge removals, grind and replant (or replacing with fencing)

 

You have to sell it a bit and have the right gear, but it’s right good money, and they’re always pleased as punch with the result.