Pruning your laurel hedges is one of the most important tasks in maintaining a healthy and beautiful landscape. Pruning laurel hedges helps to keep them looking their best by removing dead or sick branches, encouraging new growth and giving the desired shape of the hedge.
Knowing when, how and what tools to use for hard pruning and trimming is essential for achieving optimal results for a formal hedge. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to prune a laurel hedge properly so that it remains healthy, attractive and well maintained.
The best time to prune laurel is late winter or early spring before any new growth begins. This allows pruning cuts to heal quickly and encourages vigorous new growth during the growing season. Knowing when to prune is essential for achieving successful results with your laurel hedge.
Trimming or cutting laurel later in the summer can also be beneficial if you want to control how tall and wide your laurel hedge grows as this will reduce its size for a more compact look.
However, pruning too late in the autumn can cause damage to tender new buds which may not have had enough time to harden off before cold weather sets in.
Trimming your laurel hedge is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and attractive landscape.
Regular pruning helps to keep the hedge looking its best by removing dead or diseased branches, encouraging new growth and shaping the overall shape of the hedge.
Pruning also helps to promote air circulation within the foliage which can help prevent disease from spreading throughout the laurel plant. Additionally, pruning can be used to create interesting shapes in your laurel hedge that will add visual interest to your garden.
Finally, trimming allows you to control how tall and wide your laurel hedge grows so that it fits within any space limitations you may have.
All these benefits make pruning an important task for any gardener who wants their laurel hedges looking their best!
When pruning your laurel hedge, it is important to use the right tools to ensure that you get the best results. The most essential tool for pruning any type of hedge is a pair of pruning secateurs or loppers. These tools are designed specifically for cutting through branches and stems and will help you make precise cuts quickly and easily.
It’s also helpful to have a hand saw on hand in case you need to cut through thicker branches or stems. For shaping your laurel hedge, pruning poles may be useful as they allow you to reach higher areas without having to climb up onto ladders or stools.
Finally, gloves are also recommended when pruning so that you can protect yourself from sharp thorns or other hazards while working with your hedges. With these simple tools, pruning your laurel hedge should be easy!
When pruning your laurel hedge, it is important to use the right tools and techniques for optimal results. Here are some steps you can take to prune your laurel hedge correctly.
Step 1.
Start by assessing the overall shape of your laurel hedge and deciding where pruning cuts should be made in order to create the desired look.
Step 2.
Select a pair of pruning shears or loppers suitable for cutting through branches and stems as needed, making sure they are sharp enough for precise cuts without damaging the plant material too much. Tools should be thoroughly cleaned prior to pruning to prevent common laurel hedge diseases from spreading.
Step 3.
Begin pruning at one end of the hedge and work towards the other end in small sections, taking care not to remove more than 1/3rd of any given branch at once so as not to shock the plant with too much change all at once.
Step 4.
Make angled cuts about ¼ inch above an outward facing bud on each branch so that new growth will continue outwards from there instead of growing inward toward other parts of the plant.
Step 5.
When pruning is complete, inspect all pruning cuts to make sure they are clean and flush against the stems before discarding cuttings.
When pruning a laurel hedge, there are several mistakes that can be made which can lead to poor pruning results.
The most common mistake is pruning too much or pruning out of season which can cause damage to tender new buds and slow the healing process of pruning cuts.
It is also important to prune at the right angle. Cutting too close or too far away from an outward facing bud can cause new growth to come out in the wrong direction, resulting in a hedge that doesn’t look very neat and tidy.
Laurel are a very tough plant, to avoid damaging the leaves of your laurel bushes you should not use a hedge trimmer. Electric hedge trimmers and petrol hedge trimmers should be avoided as they can split the leaves and cause harm to the plant.
Finally, pruning shears should always be kept sharp so that pruning cuts are precise and clean, reducing the chances of infection or disease. By following these pruning tips and avoiding common mistakes, you should be able to achieve successful pruning results every time!
Choosing the right laurel hedge plants is important, as the laurel family of plants have different characteristics and growth rates.
Our most popular species of laurel plants include, Cherry Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, Compact Laurel, Upright Laurel and Sweet Bay Laurel.
