Hedge Trimming and Pruning Toronto

Hedge & Shrub Trimming FAQs

We want to share as much knowledge as we can and answer all of your questions about hedge trimming in Toronto. 

Why are hedge maintenance services important?

Hedges grow towards the sun, meaning the top of the hedge has more access to sunlight than the bottom. Our professional hedge trimmers in Toronto understand how to cut shrubs and hedges properly to maximize sunlight. This ensures light reaches as far down as possible without losing the ideal shape.

Hedges that are not properly trimmed like this will develop holes or patchy areas and will look less full and green. They will also tend to grow wider at the top, making them vulnerable to damage from snow and wind.

Even with adequate sunlight, without regular hedge pruning Toronto, they will experience interior dieback. This means that the inside of the plant has only wood and no leaves. When this happens, hedge pruning will result in large bare patches that will not regrow leaves. Correcting this issue takes years, during which the hedge will have to regrow and be pruned repeatedly.

When hedges aren’t pruned properly or often enough, it can take years to repair them. During this time, the hedge will look less healthy. If a problem is left for too long, sometimes the hedges cannot be fixed and must be replaced. Aside from the cost, planting takes time, and there is no guarantee that new trees will thrive in difficult urban soils.

How often should I trim my hedges?

Different hedges and shrubs grow at different rates and are more or less sensitive to pruning. It also depends on how neat you want your hedges to be and the level of sunlight, water and soil.

Generally speaking, you should lightly prune boxwoods, cedars, beeches and hornbeams 1-2 max per year as they are more sensitive to pruning. If you’re making more significant changes to shape, size or spread, wait until next year to professionally trim your hedges further to avoid damage. Yews can be safely trimmed back twice per year.

Hedges that grow out of invasive species such as Chinese elm, Siberian elm, buckthorn and others can be trimmed back between 2-4 times per year, depending on their rate of growth.

How can I repair damaged hedges

We’re passionate about your trees and have extensive experience in damaged hedge repair. Damaged hedges should be repaired as quickly as possible to ensure they survive and to keep your home looking beautiful.

Hedges and shrubs can be damaged by heavy snows and ice, wind, other trees – even the soil they grow in! Hedge repair is not dissimilar from tree pruning in Toronto, as hedges are trees or woody plants. The health of your hedges should be left up to our certified arborists, but DIY tree pruning can help solve some simple problems.

How do I cut my hedge to make it smaller?

Shrinking a hedge or making it smaller is not for amateurs. You can easily and quickly destroy a hedge by cutting it improperly or taking too much off. Hedge or shrub trimming is not the same thing as changing its shape, size or expression.

If your hedge is relatively young or small, you may be able to do it yourself. If it is mature, large, or growing like a green bubble – we don’t recommend it. What do we mean by green bubble? Well, if you push aside some of the foliage and look inside, is it empty, or are there dead needles? Hedges grow out towards the sun, and as hedges get bigger, they can become like a green balloon – one thin layer of green on the outside and empty inside.

If you try to alter the shape or size of a hedge that has grown in this manner too drastically, you’ll end up with large holes and patchy sections on any area you cut. Why? Plants need sun to survive, but they also need needles and leaves to help generate energy through photosynthesis. When you prune or trim a hedge in a way that cuts off all of the green in a section, it will no longer be able to generate energy (grow) in this area. You’re left with a big hole and unsightly stubs and wood.

Making a hedge smaller takes time. It follows a similar process to making a tree smaller because they are related plants. First, we need to clean out anything getting in the way of sunlight. This means removing all the dead needles, leaves, dead twigs and branches from the hedge. It’s a very, very messy process. If you’ve been having your hedge trimmed for years or been DIYing it, you likely have a hedge full of debris. This debris prevents proper airflow, increases moisture in all the wrong places, and limits sunlight. You will be genuinely shocked by the amount that comes out.

After removing all of this debris, we’ve increased air flow, increased space and potential for sunlight penetration. Now comes a combination of pruning, trimming and wiring. We prune off overgrown sections where they will not create a hole or gap, lightly trim the faces (sides and top) of the hedge to promote new growth, and use wires to direct the growth of individual branches.

What is the value of my hedge?

Hedges and shrubs can create softer lines in a garden full of hardscaping or many different-sized trees and plants. They also help delineate one area of your property from another, can act as a natural fence and improve privacy. Hedges and shrubs absorb sound, filter pollution, reduce ambient temperatures near your home and leave your property looking lush and green.

When taken care of, hedges, shrubs, and ornamental trees offer immense value to your home. Not only do they benefit you on a day-to-day basis, they can also improve your property resale value. It is estimated that trees and other greenery like hedges can improve property value by 5-15%. The better cared for, the higher that number is likely to be.

On the other hand, poorly maintained hedges and shrubs can result in significant costs and loss of value. When hedges provide privacy to your home, poor maintenance practices and other problems can cause them to grow improperly or die. Hedges that are “topped,” too aggressively trimmed or not trimmed often enough, will develop serious health problems.

If your hedges develop health problems or serious damage, they may need to be replaced. Replacing hedges, especially tall or large hedges, costs quite a lot of money. If they don’t get replaced, you may lose the function they play in your environment. 

Hedges can be a huge asset, like a green investment, but you have to maintain them to keep their value, or they can become costly. Vista Tree Management offers professional hedge and shrub trimming Toronto to keep your greenery happy and healthy while preserving its value.

What are some hedge pruning tips and tricks?

• Maintain sharp tools for clean cuts.
• Taper the top slightly narrower than the base to allow sunlight penetration.
• Cut back older stems at ground level annually to promote rejuvenation.
• Avoid excessive pruning, which can lead to bare patches.

When should hedges be trimmed? At what time of year should hedges be pruned?

Damaged Hedge or Shrub Repair

Trim or prune immediately to avoid worsening damage. If branches are damaged by wind, snow, or storms, get your hedge assessed for professional hedge pruning in Toronto right away, no matter the time of year.

Hedge Maintenance Trimming or Hedge “Haircut”

Lightly trimming or pruning hedges to keep them neat and tidy should be done during the spring and early summer. This includes hedging the face of the plant and its tops and sides but doesn’t include significant changes to the height or spread. Large changes to size or shape should be done when the hedge is dormant in late fall or early spring.

Hedge and Shrub Shaping

Shaping requires taking off a more significant amount of material than hedge maintenance, so it should be performed when the hedge is dormant. This should generally be done in late winter or early spring before “bud out.” Pruning in the summer is possible but should be done carefully to avoid sun scorch and other problems.

Reduce Height of Hedges

Height reductions for hedges should be done when the plant is dormant, from late fall to early spring. Reducing height during the summer is possible but should be done carefully.

When should you avoid trimming hedges?

Avoid trimming hedges during their active growing season (late spring through summer), as this may cause stress and hinder overall growth. Instead, focus on light maintenance during early spring or significant shaping in late winter/early spring when plants are dormant.

How can I enhance curb appeal with hedge pruning Toronto?

Whether your home is Gergorian, Bay and Gable, Contemporary or Tudor Revival, hedges play an important role in enhancing the look and feel of a property. Vista Tree provides shrub and hedge pruning services in Toronto for hedges of all sizes with special equipment and dedicated experience!

We Make Nature Work For You

Vista Tree Management’s certified arborists deliver exceptional hedge trimming and pruning services in Toronto. We don’t just care for hedges; we manage them and make nature work for you – whatever your vision.