If you have a large amount of hedging to cut, you may want to consider investing in a powered hedgetrimmer. This makes the task of cutting hedges much quicker and requires far less effort than manual shears. Before buying a trimmer, there are a number of features that you should be aware of:

Blade Length

• Blades are usually 40-60 cm (16-24 in) long
• A longer blade reduces the time that it will take to cut a hedge
• A long blade will make it easy to reach across a wide hedge or up to a tall one
• The longer the blade, the heavier the trimmer and the less likely it is to be well balanced

Blade Style and Action

• Blades may be single- or double-sided
• Double-sided blades reduce cutting time
• Single-blades are easier to control - useful for shaping a hedge
• Double-action blades that move in opposite directions cut twiggy hedges more efficiently
• Widely spaced blades are more efficient at cutting thicker twigs
• Narrowly spaced blades produce a smoother, finer finish

Power Options

Hedgetrimmers may be found in petrol-powered versions and mains-operated or rechargeable electric models.