Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

Gardeners who dream of decorating their plots with long hedges or roses  cannot do it without a special tool- a long reach hedge trimmer. After all, the bushes will have to be cut, otherwise they will lose their spectacular shape.

By the way if you are into roses don’t forget to check out my recommendation of best Insecticides for Roses.

The pruner in this type of work will be useless, since it cuts one branch at a time. And in hedges, it is important to grab a strip at once in order to create geometric shapes and reduce haircut time.

Therefore, a special tool has been invented for the care of hedges – long reach hedge trimmer.

 The best time for Cutting long reach hedges is the spring. Some varieties of hedges are able to withstand cold weather or frost, but most of them do not tolerate freezing temperatures on fresh cuttings.

In the summer season, trimming can be done at any time: periodically removing shoots during growth stimulates growth and directs the shoots upward.

Trim your hedge twice a year if necessary, once in the middle of summer and once at the end.

They are available in several versions: manual and automatic. Consider how beneficial each type of tool is and which is safer – an electric or gasoline hedge trimmer.

For best results, use hand-held garden shears for thin shoots, grooved trellis shears for thicker branches, and pruning shears for thinner branches.

Best Long Reach Hedge Trimmer

 

IMPORTANT TO KNOW :

• Manual garden shears or secateurs – for thin shoots
• Trellis shears, preferably with grooved blades – for thicker branches
• Pruning shears – for the thickest branches
• Electric hedge cutter – reversible for crown formation or unilateral for straight sections of hedges.

 

How to choose the plants for a long reach hedge?

 

The formed types of hedges are grown under strict and constant control – at the initial stage, in the first few years, formative pruning is carried out, then corrective ones are added to them.

The green hedge formed by pruning turns out to be quite thin: 40-100 cm, dense, visually impenetrable.

However, it is important to choose the right plants to form a green fence.

Both deciduous and coniferous plants should be quite unpretentious (with thickened planting, the plants experience intense competition) and tolerate pruning well.

 

 Long Reach Hedge Trimmer- Scissors

 

Hedge Trimmer- scissors: you have to work with your hands.

The brush cutter scissors is an improved model of the pruner. The knives are stretched in the tool and the handles are lengthened to make it easier to apply physical effort.

On average, the total length of the tool is about half a meter, of which the cutting part accounts for 20-25 cm.

It is convenient to work with such a hedge cutter on low-height hedges and with thin branches, because cutting occurs due to the physical efforts of the gardener.

If there is only one or several hedges on the site, but small in volume, then such hand scissors are quite enough to maintain the bushes in a proper form.

But this tool is not suitable for thick branches, long or high-rise hedges.

Hands will start to get tired when cutting, and working with outstretched arms, applying effort, is not very convenient.

Models in which the handles are reinforced with rubber pads show themselves best in the work. Hands do not slip when working, and the quality of the haircut is higher.

My TOP PICKS OF Long Reach Hedge Trimmer- Scissors

 

Motorized long reach hedge trimmers

 

For long sized hedges, a 40 cm blade is sufficient, but if the design is taller, a longer tool will be needed…

Motorized brush cutters: varieties and features of the mechanism Models of motorized brush cutters for hedges are attracted primarily by the fact that a lot of physical effort is not wasted during work.

The technique cuts everything by itself, and the gardener only needs competent control and adjustment of the stroke.

Depending on the type of motor, all automatic brush cutters are divided into gasoline and electric, and the latter can be operated from the mains and from the battery.

We will analyze the features of each work below, but for now we will consider the type of cutting tool. Brush cutters cut the branches of the hedge with blades.

The longer it is, the more grip you get, and the less time it takes to trim. In addition, it is easier for them to reach the tops of plants.

But excessive length (over 40 cm) is also unprofitable. Such instruments are quite heavy and vibrate more strongly. They should only be purchased for very long hedges to cut down on cutting time.

You can see on sale models with a single-sided blade and a double-sided one.

For experienced gardeners, double-sided blades are undoubtedly more beneficial.

First, the speed of work is doubled. Secondly, these blades are capable of carving the most unusual geometric shapes.

But for non-professional gardeners, such a tool can be difficult to operate, and instead of a flat wall, you will cut an undulating uneven area.

Therefore, it is better for novice gardeners to purchase single-sided blades that are easier to control while cutting.

They do an excellent job of creating even geometric shapes.

My TOP PICKS OF Motorized long reach hedge trimmers

 

 

Another point worth paying attention to in the hedge trimmer is the way blades work.

They can move in different directions (mutually cutting), or they can be one-way (one blade moves, and the second is motionless).

Tools with one-way blades will be cheaper, but they have a higher level of vibration, which makes your hands more tired when working.

The distance between the teeth of the blade affects the final cut. If you are looking at hedges up close, then the wall should be trimmed perfectly smooth.

This can only be achieved with closely set teeth. If the distance between the teeth is large, then this tool cuts thick branches more easily, but the quality of the cut is coarser.

Electric long reach hedge trimmers

 

 Electric hedge trimmers are prized for their ease of maintenance. No need to fill in gasoline or check the oil level.

It is enough to plug it in and you can cut it. These models are less powerful than gasoline models, but significantly lighter and cleaner (do not emit exhaust gases).

In addition, the cost of electric brush cutters is 2-3 times lower than that of units powered by gasoline.

Choose an electric hedge trimmer, taking into account the total volume of the fence and its location on the site.

If the plants are no more than 30 m from the mains, then network tools are quite suitable, because the length of their cord is usually limited to 30 meters.

For longer distances, you will need an extension cord. And yet this option is considered the most unsafe, because there is always the possibility of a contact with electric current.

The unit can accidentally slip out of inexperienced hands and catch on the cable.

Often they get entangled in the wires with their feet. And in wet weather, working with a brush cutter is prohibited.

The second option for the electric garden hedge trimmer is the battery type. It has an autonomous battery, which must be recharged before use.

It is convenient to cut with such a tool if there are few hedges on the site and they are located far from the mains.

But the cordless hedge cutter cannot cope with large volumes and thick branches. You will have to recharge it several times, which is not very convenient.

The battery lasts approximately 40 minutes. provided the blades are not clogged. The more dirty the cutting part, the shorter the battery life is.

The power of the electric motor is enough for branches up to 2 cm thick. Telescopic models are available for tall plantings.

My TOP PICKS OF Electric long reach hedge trimmers

 

Gasoline long reach hedge trimmers

 

Gasoline hedge cutter: cuts everything, but makes a lot of noise.

Gasoline hedge cutters belong to the most powerful class of tools, because their strength is enough for branches 3-4 cm thick.

Such models are chosen by professional gardeners who have to work with large volumes of hedges.

But one should take into account their considerable weight, because the tool often has to be worked with outstretched arms. So only male hands will pull such a technique.

When choosing a gasoline hedge trimmer, pay attention to:

Is the model installed an anti-vibration system and what class, because the health of the gardener’s hands will depend on this.

Is the engine equipped with an exhaust filtration system so that a person can breathe normal air?

Keep an eye on what kind of work the cutting tool was created (cutting tall hedges, decorating topiary figures, etc.).

Gasoline units make more noise during operation and pollute the air with combustion products.

But only they are able to cut out wild old bushes and even small forests.

My TOP PICKS of Gasoline long reach hedge trimmers

 

It is worth noting that all this time we have been talking about handheld devices, and there are also mounted ones.

They are intended for use with mini tractors. But they are used most often in forestry, municipal services and construction companies.

With their help, you can, for example, easily and quickly clear the area for new houses from shrubs and weeds.

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If it seems to you that the hedge is growing faster than you can get away from it with a pruner, it’s time to get a better device.

And it’s better to do it right now – without waiting for the moment when it will become very, very difficult to cope with the vegetation.

We hope you were able to figure out which of the garden shears is right for you.

If you still have any questions, be sure to ask our team. They will be happy to help you with the choice, as well as explain how to complete the purchase.

 

Where to place a long hedge on the site?

 

A hedge is the embodiment of the main goals of landscape design.

It combines decorativeness with functionality.

However, it requires a lot of care. It can be difficult to take care of a hedge that runs along the entire perimeter of the site.

Therefore, it is quite possible to use it locally: for example, plant it along one of the boundaries of the site, or use it for internal zoning.

When choosing the location of the hedge in the country, it is better to give preference to the western and eastern borders – there the hedge will be illuminated more evenly.

It is also important to pay attention to drainage, especially when using conifers. If you are planting a hedge duplicating a solid fence, leave a detour between the hedges for safety and the ability to trim the hedge from the back.

How to plant plants and How far to plant for Long Reach Hedge?

 

 

Having decided where is better to make a hedge, and having determined its location on the site, you can start planting.

Mark out the area with the twine stretched, taking into account the final width right away.

You can plant plants for a hedge in one or two rows (this will allow you to quickly reach thickening and easier to repair if damaged).

Planting density will depend on the type and size of the green fence chosen.

The distance between plants can be 20-50 cm, between rows – 30-80 cm. One or two trenches are dug in the direction of planting, one and a half to two times larger than the planting coma.

For deciduous plants, the trench can be “filled” with rotted manure or compost, sprinkling it on top with a layer of earth.

Then the seedlings are placed in accordance with the requirements of this type, the roots are covered with earth and easily compacted, and the planted plants are watered.

After planting, the loose soil around the plants should be well mulched to maintain moisture and reduce weed growth.

In the first year, the main concerns will be watering and regular weeding.

For watering a hedge, it is convenient to lay an automatic irrigation system already at the planting stage – it will not only make your work easier, but also help control the volume and mode of irrigation.

The hedge needs watering – the artificially increased density of the crown contributes to a particularly active evaporation of moisture.

Given the stationary and long-term nature, it is convenient for hedges to use an in-soil drip system by placing supply hoses along the planting line.

 

Sprinkling a hedge is also useful, especially if it is adjacent to a road. Along with moisturizing, it is also a hygienic procedure that helps to clean the leaves and needles from dust.

Remember to spray in the morning or evening to prevent plant burns.

 

How to repair a hedge?

 

If, as a result of burns or frosting, a gap has formed in the hedge, you can try to correct it by purposefully cutting and tying up adjacent shoots.

If a whole plant has fallen out, it is worth planting a new one in its place, but be prepared for the fact that the recovery process will take a long time.

If the deciduous hedge has suffered very badly, then carry out its radical rejuvenation.

To do this, a living fence is cut down, leaving 10-20 cm stumps, from which new growth will begin to grow.

The procedure is carried out in the spring. The cuts are covered with garden pitch, and new shoots from next year are formed as a young hedge.

This is a rather risky operation, but given that resistant, fast growing species are usually chosen for creating hedges, it is usually successful for deciduous plants.