HEDGE TRIMMERS BUYERS’ GUIDE
Save time and effort with a battery-powered or electric hedge trimmer, says Geoff Hodge. Here’s what to look for
Hedge trimming or shrub shaping can be a time-consuming job – particularly if you want a neat result. A hedge trimmer can make the task more pleasant, saving you wrist and arm ache. However, you do need to decide on the power source, blade type, weight, balance and overall comfort of handling the tool for a period of time. If possible, test drive your hedge trimmer in the shop before buying to assess its weight, balance and overall comfort. Some specialist dealerships might even let you start it, giving you an idea of its noise output and degree of vibration. Good electric and battery-powered trimmers are able to handle any modestsized hedge – for most small gardens a petrol-powered machine would be overkill.
Which blade?
Materials Cheaper hedge trimmers may have a fairly basic machine-pressed steel blade; more expensive models usually have laser-cut, high-carbon steel blades for smooth, precise operation. Some have diamond-ground surfaces to give clean, accurate cutting for a very neat, tidy finish and healthy plant regrowth. ● Length Longer blades let you cut more with every sweep, making it easier to trim evenly, so are better for long or tall hedges. However, long blades add to overall weight, can be more difficult to handle accurately and safely, need a more powerful engine (also adding to weight), and are more expensive. A blade between 45-60cm (18-24in) should be ideal for most gardens. ● Blade gap This is the distance between the teeth, which determines the width of stems it can cut, though the gap may not be equal to the actual stem width. It can also determine how finely it cuts – narrower gaps may give a cleaner cut. Wider teeth can cut wider stems, but this has to be matched with a larger, more powerful motor to cut through them cleanly. ● Single or double? The blade may be single- or double-sided, cutting on one or both sides. Remember single-sided blades roughly double cutting time.
Long reach
Long reach or pole hedge trimmers let you cut tall hedges from ground level. Most feature a tilting cutting head, so you can also cut the top of the hedge horizontally. Adjustable telescopic hedgetrimmers allow you to reach up to 3m (10ft) high.
Longer blades let you cut more with every sweep