What Shape Is Your Hedge ?
This post was inspired after visit to a prospective new client this week, the hedge in question was on a long private drive, a mix of Laurel and old Privet, the hedge had been professionally maintained, however the top had been allowed to expand and in places was now falling out over the drive.
So, the shapes, V, H, A.
It is vital that hedges are maintained and trimmed correctly for long term hedge health and good form, sub standard cutting will lead to long term problems.
The letters refer to the shape of the hedge if you were looking along its length.
V, without doubt poor shape, the top being wider than its bottom, this will get worse over the years, leading to expansion over drives, paths, and gardens.
This shape is often associated with tall hedges where the tops are difficult to reach, as the hedge gets higher and leans out more, the problem gets harder to deal with, so an ever increasing problem.

This shape needs dealing with before the expansion is too extreme to resolve.
H, a good shape, the sides being vertical, however you must make sure that the hedge is not allowed to become too wide, this again may lead to expansion over drives, gardens and paths etc.

When hedges are allowed to become too wide, and far worse when also tall, it can be very difficult to trim the top properly which leads to the hedge not being maintained correctly and the likely result is that the hedge height increases.
A, the ideal shape, the sides of this hedge gradually and lightly lean in towards the top, this has a number of benefits.

Firstly, ease of maintenance, this shape normally contains the expansion of hedges which always expand the most at the top, a well maintained hedge looks better, is cheaper for the homeowner to have maintained and is healthier.

This shape leaves the vertical faces open too as much sunlight as possible by not having areas in shade caused by over hanging foliage, the sunlight promoting good hedge health and new growth.

By the fact that the hedge is not allowed to expand at the top, the hedge top will be easier to trim, meaning the hedge height is less likely to increase, and a big bonus for the homeowner is that this shape will be easier to maintain leading to lower overall costs.

To sum up, regular maintenance is without doubt the best for hedges, they retain better shape and density and the trimming cost will be less.

However, it is vital that your hedge is trimmed correctly by skilled professionals, otherwise you will be left with a V shaped hedge.

Devon Arborists can help with all hedge shapes and sizes, give us a call 07485 411618
www.devonarborists.co.uk