When to prune hedge for the first time: May pruning

Why prune hedge in May?

A hedge grows differently from loose plants. It is a linear structure you want to keep dense and upright. The first pruning of the year happens in May, after the first spring growth spurt. This is essential because:

1. Lock in form: A hedge without May pruning grows wild and asymmetrical. May pruning forces the hedge to grow dense, upright and compact.
2. Second bloom: After May pruning the hedge regrows, which is pruned again (usually around August). This creates two density cycles.
3. Dense from bottom: Without May pruning the hedge only grows upward and becomes bare at the bottom. May pruning stimulates lower branches.

Timing: May, after frost danger

The best timing for the first hedge pruning is mid-May through early June.

Why May?

• Frost danger is past (late April/early May in Netherlands)
• Hedge has grown profusely after winter
• Weather conditions are stable
• New growth recovers quickly from pruning

Too early pruning (April): Can cause frost damage to young growth after cutting.

Too late pruning (July+): Then the hedge has already grown too wild and you have much more work. Also: birds may still be brooding in hedge, so pruning can then be less pleasant.

Latest deadline: June. Do not prune your hedge after June (first pruning). Then you have too little time for second pruning (August) and hedge will not look nice in autumn.

Hedge types and their timing

Beech hedge (Fagus): Prune in May hard. Beech grows fast and tolerates hard pruning. After May pruning it regrows quickly.

Yew hedge (Taxus): Prune in May cautiously. Yew grows slowly. Too hard pruning means bare patches. Prune so you remove only 1-2 years growth.

Holly hedge (Ilex): Prune in May lightly. Holly grows very slowly. Hard pruning leads to years of bare patches. Cautious pruning is better than dense pruning.

Privet hedge (Ligustrum): Prune in May hard. Privet grows fast and tolerates heavy pruning. This is actually ideal for formal hedge shapes.

Thuja hedge (Thuja): Prune in May lightly. Thuja grows moderately fast and dense. Hard pruning can create brown patches (dead branches inside). Cautiously done.

Privet hedge (Ligustrum): Prune in May hard. This grows fast and compact. Ideal for tight forms.

How to prune hedge: step by step

Tools:

• Hand hedge shears (for small hedges)
• Electric hedge trimmer (for large hedges, better result, faster)
• Pruning saw (for thick, old branches)

Preparation:

1. Gather all your tools and ensure they are sharp
2. If your hedge is very long, carefully mark the desired height (for example with rope as a guide)
3. Check whether birds are nesting in it (in May they can brood)

Pruning:

1. Start bottom: Cut the bottom of the hedge first. This is most visible and you immediately see if your line is straight
2. Slanted angles: Prune hedge in a slight trapezium shape: bottom wider than top. This ensures bottom branches get sun and thus grow dense
3. Progress upward: Work carefully upward to the top. Regularly check your line
4. Top: Make the top smooth and straight

Cutting depth: How much do you cut back? This depends on:

• Hedge under 2 years: Cut back to roughly 2/3 of current growth. This stimulates dense side growth
• Hedge 2-5 years: Cut back to roughly 50% of growth
• Older hedge: More cautious. Cut only 25-30% back, otherwise you get bare patches

The trapezium form: why and how

A classic hedge shape is a trapezium: wide at bottom, narrow at top. This has three advantages:

1. Sun at bottom: Sunlight reaches the lower branches, so they grow dense. With straight angles bottom gets shade and becomes bare
2. Stability: Wider at bottom is also stronger against wind and snow pressure
3. Aesthetics: Trapezium looks neater than rectangle

Angles: An angle of roughly 75-80 degrees from vertical is ideal. This feels natural and looks good.

Frequently asked questions

Can I prune hedge in April?

Better not. April pruning can cause frost damage to young growth in Netherlands. Wait until May when frost danger has passed.

My hedge is very tall (3-4 meters). How do I prune that?

For tall hedges electric hedge trimmer is strongly recommended. Manual pruning is for low hedges under 1.5 meters. For tall hedges you probably also need a step ladder.

For very tall hedges (over 3 meters) it can be convenient to have hedge professionally pruned. The costs are then clearly lower than your own time.

My hedge is full of bird nests. Can I prune then?

No. In May many birds brood in hedge. If you see nests, skip May pruning and cut in June/July when brooding season is over. This is also legally protected: bird nests may not be disturbed.

How much maximum can I prune?

Max 50% of growth in May. If you remove more, you risk bare patches and slow recovery. Cautious pruning is better than drastic measures.

My hedge gets brown patches after pruning. Why?

Probably because you cut too hard and exposed dead branches inside (this especially happens with Thuja). These branches were previously covered by leaf, now exposed they die off or water evaporates.

This usually recovers within 1-2 growth periods. Next time: prune more cautiously, do not cut so deep.

Frequently asked questions (part 2)

Can I prune hedge in rain?

Better not. Wet hedge is slippery and unsafe. Also: cut wounds heal worse in rain. Wait for dry weather.

My old hedge has become bare at the bottom. Can I still save it?

Difficult. Bare patches at bottom mean dead, old branches inside. These do not regrow. You can cautiously try: cut less hard in May, ensure good feeding (compost), and expect it to take years.

Better: prune radically (everything to 1 meter high) and let it rebuild. This takes 3-4 years, but usually works.

Can I prune hedge into certain shapes (balls, pyramids)?

Yes, but this requires annual patient pruning (May plus August) and good planning. Balls and pyramids are nicer but require more maintenance than rectangles. For beginners: keep it straight.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Check preparation (late April, early May)

Check your pruning shears (sharp?). Check for bird nests in hedge. Plan your work on dry, calm weather.

Step 2: Mark the height (early May)

If hedge is uneven height, use rope as guide. Tie rope with stakes at desired height.

Step 3: Cut bottom first (May)

Start at bottom. Prune the bottom carefully, check if line is straight. Work carefully upward along the sides.

Step 4: Equalize top (May)

Make top smooth and straight. This is visible from far away, so precision counts.

Step 5: Work on small irregularities (May)

Walk along hedge and work on small holes or dips with careful cuts.

Step 6: Cleanup (May)

Remove all cut material from below hedge. This prevents disease and fungus.

What after: August pruning

After May pruning the hedge regrows (within 4-6 weeks). In August you perform a second, lighter pruning: you mainly restore form, do not cut as hard as in May.

Two prunings per year ensure maximum density.

Discover your hedge in the design

At [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can see how your hedge fits into your garden design. Upload your front yard, and we show realistic growth and pruning schedules for different hedge types. Perfect timing for May pruning.