Hedge now 10' What tool?

15 years ago

Dad got old & let his hedge grow to about 10'. City & Owner association spec max 4' hedges. Without a ladder I can reach to 6-7'. I do have stable 7' painter's ladder also.

Do I need to do this iteratively, that is cut from 10 to 7, then from 7 to 5, and then final pass a 3-4'

Is a hedge-trimmer the right tool? There's budget for Echo professional trimmer. I see in Stihl catalogue an power lopper, but expensive for a one-off project.

I'm in no mood to rake, gather, and set out for association p/up. I see men from gardening services using blower, wearing a backpack, & somehow ending with mulched product. Should I search on "blower" or is there special nomenclature.

These estimates may indicate magnitude of task:

Home owner's Association crew: $375-400.

Licensed arborist: $3,300. (More inclusive: additional trimming and thining; do something with diseased tree; chemical weedicide to kill invasive species.)

Last, do I need to know much to trim off 6'; and what can I do to ensure not getting hurt? (e.g. which way will branches fall, & c.

Many thanks to all,

Richard Moss

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

jimtnc
15 years ago
The shrub variety that makes up the hedge might be the difference between using a hedge-trimmer or a chain saw.

I have Hollies that grow fairly fast, and if i want to lower the shrub more than 6" I have to use a Sawsall with a pruning blade or loppers...just depends how think the branches got. Slow work, but it'll do. I'm sure others have their ways of pruning too.
masiman
15 years ago
As jimtnc says, I'd research the particular plant you are dealing with to determine the best pruning method (time of year, how to prune, how much you can prune reliably prune, etc.). Alot of plants are best pruned in late winter/very early spring before their juice start to flow. But check on your variety. You may find that these plants will not take a hard prune and might be better off removed. Removal is something you could do if you have a landscape bar, nursery shovel, pick axe with adze (optional), chain or strap, pulling vehicle and a way to haul. It is hard work but I would guess maybe ~1 hour per plant.

With a hedge, my guess is that a chainsaw would not be useful because of all the small stuff and how dense it likely is to get to the main leaders that are big enough to take a chainsaw too. You might be better off with a sawzall and a pruning saw and loppers to get the job done. All of those tools would have great reuse value.

I'm not sure how these plants are going to look after loosing 60% or more. Try to do the pruning so that they will have a chance to reform in the coming years into something that is healthy and looks decent.
Related Discussions
What kind of tool carrier do you use?
Q
Comments (33)
Lou, I was given a kneeler for Christmas one year. When turned upside down, it is a low seat. It might be low enough, if stable enough, to get your butt up on so you do not have to scoot all the way into your house. You should make deep pockets for your apron. Short front pockets on women's jeans are a pet peeve. They always used to be deep enough. Now the pruners fall out. What gives? Also, although jeans pockets do eventually get holes at the tip from carrying tools, especially scissors, I just turn the tool upside down and keep going. The handle end is broad enough to not breech the hole. When tying up, the ball of twine goes in my left pocket. Since I start with the end of the twine from the middle of the ball, the twine feeds smoothly without rolling the ball around. Then the scissors go in my right pants pocket and I'm good to go all day. Diggers and pruners go in the right pants pocket. I can usually carry two out of three tools there as long as the clothes manufacturers aren't stingy and making short pockets. The left pants pocket carries dog treats to keep the puppy (12 years old) where she needs to be. I use a 10 gallon bucket (I think it held grout at one time) for tools. This is kept next to where I walk out the large garage door and so is easily picked from, especially since all tools, including a small landscape saw, are set in vertically. There are enough tools to keep everything upright. I seldom bring the whole bucket. I use other 5 and 10 gallon buckets, which all have handles that can be slung over the handle of the wheelbarrow or the handle of a shovel being carried over my shoulder, to carry fertilizer and a few plants that need planting or for picking weeds. Cath
...See More
10ft tall hedge in AZ?
Q
Comments (19)
@marymcp what I really don't like about the hop bush is the brown undertone of the bottom of the leaves. It almost makes the bush look like it's dead or brown in color. With this being said I went to the Home Depot on Val Vista and the 60 and there is a really cool guy that works in the garden department who also specializes in this. He informed me that most people do not like Oleander's because they're not properly trimmed and grow out of control. He assured me that he has in many times hedged Oleander's to where people where completely shocked that was even the plant. He said with proper maintenance Oleanders are one of the best hedge plants in Arizona. He also made a good point that they will survive through anything, heat, cold, lack of water, etc. This is the route I decided to go with my purchase yesterday. I also plan on adding a few Wisteria vines/trees to my backyard canopy. After finding the Japanese Wisteria garden online these look like they will create a very nice ambiance in my backyard. I appreciate everyone's suggestions.
...See More
What Are Your Fav Garden Tools?
Q
Comments (22)
Great topic! 1. I too am a lover of all things TUBTRUG. I even went to the trouble to buy only one of each color, so that way when I tell DH that I need the PURPLE one, he can't get confused...I love that they come in different sizes, and they have them at our farm supply store locally, so no shipping! www.tubtrug.com 2. Dibble, Dibble, Dibble! I got one just a month ago from the Amana Colonies locally here in Iowa. It was pricey at 10.00, or so I thought. I have already used it enough for it to pay for itself. I will be using it quite a bit as soon as spring finally arives, it makes a hole perfectly sized for plants in a 4- or 6-pack. 3. My Big Yellow Garden Wagon. This was a (very early - like august) Christmas present from DH. The sides all fold down, it has a tray to hold my tools in it, and a removable liner. Add in the pneumatic wheels, and pulling HEAVY loads is very easy. --this isnÂt where he got it from, but it has the best picture www.parissupply.com/catalog/3599202_thumb.jpg 4. Garden Kneepads, they allow me to move around the garden quickly, and go from one task to another without having to lift and move one of the kneeling pads. They are by Fiskars and they attach by Velcro so they fit over my bulky cold-weather clothes, and my slightly-less-bulky warm weather legs. www.letmeoutdoors.com/metal/ps/94186974tb.jpg 5. Coated Gloves, you know the kind with the rubbery coating just on the palm and fingers? We have what I like to call Brick-Ready Clay here, so it is almost always wet, some of it stains the hands (I had a 2 yellowish fingers for a week or so last summer), and it likes to rip of fingernails without asking first. I think I have 6 or 8 pairs, and now they make them ultra thin too, so I can do some of the delicate work without crushing the little guys that I am plantingÂ 6. Small feed scoop. No, seriously! Remember the clay? I have to add amendments to almost everything, and the feed scoop gets just the right amount in one or two scoops. 7. Last but by no means leastÂ Power-Pivot Pruners by Fiskars. They are set up with the hinge at the back, and a pivot at the front, so that you are using the strongest part of your hand when you squeeze them. Ah heck, just look at the picture in this article. They work great, I did all my spring pruning, and had very little hand fatigue afterwardsÂ http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080313/LIVING03/914932787/1029/LIVING04
...See More
What garden tools or accessories make you cry?
Q
Comments (108)
I’ve had good success with the junk plastic ones. I have one of those hoses that puff up with water and extend in length. Can’t remember what they’re called. I love love love love them. After I’m done watering they shrink back up, are easy to carry, and even easier to store, and no kinking. But, I’ve found out that the canvas coating on the outside wears as you drag it around, and when it rips the flexible tubing inside balloons out like a hose hernia. I had those plastic repair things for the middle of the hose on hand, and no plans to head out to civilization to a store for a new hose, so I fixed my bursts one with a few of those. Then I duct taped everywhere that the fabric looked worn. I felt like an industrious homesteader. My plastic-repaired duct-taped hose is lasting pretty well, and looks homey besides. (Actually, it probably looks more homely than homey.) I actually spent big bucks on an extension-type hose on Amazon with industrial fabric on the outside. It’s so thick it actually interferes with the hose stretching enough unless you have high preassure. But, it’s holding up wonderfully. And compared to the cost of a standard hose, it really wasn’t big bucks.
...See More
weed_cutter
15 years ago
This varies with the type of hedge, but generally you can get after it now (early spring). Bring it down to 3' with BIG loppers on the main trunks, or if the trunk diameter is over 2" use a $50 electric chain saw, then use clippers (gas electric or manual) to shape up what is left. It will look awful when you're done but by mid-summer new growth will be shooting all over the place and you'll have to get after it again. Unless you want to rent a chipper there is no easy way that I know of to get rid of the clippings other than placing them by the curb. Generally the larger the sections you cut the easier it will be to drag them. Check the local restrictions of the waste haulers as to size and amount. Stay flat footed on the ground for safety, limbs fall where gravity takes them so be mindful of which way they are leaning.

Once again, expect them to look like stumps n' trunks when you're done. Any kinder gentler way will take years.
yungman
15 years ago
Depend on how many hedges you have. If not too many, the cheapest is to get a manual pole saw( don't know the exact name!!) I got one in HD and it is a extendable pole that you can screw on a small saw and you just cut the branch and the trunk. I was amazed how fast it cut. I cut 4" tree trunks with it. It can extend to over 10' and can reach high. It also have a pull rope loper to cut branches up to 3/4".

I don't think a gas hedge trimmer is the way to cut it down. If you want to be fancy, you can always get a multi tool attachment trimmer. Get the pole saw attachment ( like a small chain saw) and a short reach articulate hedge trimmer attachment. But that is going to cost you.

I don't know the plants, how to cut it down, better listen to the others. I just thought the manual pole saw work pretty well if you have time and it cost about $29 to $39 only. But it will not trim the hedge after you cut them down, you do need a hedge trimmer for that.
masiman
15 years ago
With that manual pole saw that yungman mentioned, I would recommend the Corona. They have a HO level package for ~$130. Costco has them sometimes.
yungman
15 years ago
Mine is only $29 to $39!!! I got it in Home Depot. I cut tree trunk with it!!! Well that was 3 years ago, so.......

I am still using it to help my neighbor trim the branches off.

Hedge now 10' What tool?

Comments (6)

jimtnc

masiman

Related Discussions

weed_cutter

yungman

masiman

yungman

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US