Hedge Trimming

A good hedge gives you privacy, blocks wind and noise, and makes a property look looked after. Left alone for a season or two, the same hedge can grow over paths and driveways, block sight lines, and get too tall to reach safely from a ladder. Razor Blade Tree Specialists trims, reshapes and reduces hedges of all sizes across Melbourne's South East.

We are a family owned business based in Narre Warren North, working in the area since 2006.

 

What our hedge trimming covers

Hedge work ranges from a tidy-up to a major reduction. We handle:

• Maintenance trims. Cutting back new growth to keep the hedge at its current height and shape.

• Height reductions. Bringing a tall screening hedge, such as lilly pilly, photinia or conifer, back down to a manageable height.

• Width reductions. Cutting the sides back off fences, paths, driveways and neighbouring properties.

• Reshaping. Squaring up formal hedges or giving an untidy row a consistent line again.

• Overgrown hedge recovery. Staged cutting on hedges that have been left for years, so they have a chance to regrow evenly.

Once a hedge is above head height, trimming the top from a ladder gets risky, and the volume of clippings becomes hard to manage. With a full crew, a chipper and a truck, those are the jobs we are set up for.

 

How we do it

We start with a free, no-obligation quote. We look at the type of hedge, how tall and wide it is, what is on either side of it, and what result you want, whether that is a light trim or a hard cut back.

Our own crew does the work. We do not use subcontractors. A Level 5 qualified arborist oversees the job, which matters when a hedge is really a row of small trees and you want to know how hard it can be cut without damaging it.

Clippings are cleared as we go. We bring our truck and chipper, so trimmings and larger cut material are mulched and taken away rather than left in bags. When we leave, paths, lawns and garden beds are clean.

If part of the hedge has died or is beyond recovery, we can also remove individual plants or the whole row and grind out the stumps so you can replant.

 

When to trim hedges in Melbourne

Melbourne's climate means hedges can be trimmed for most of the year. As a general guide:

• Late spring and autumn are usually the best times, when plants recover well from cutting.

• Evergreen hedges generally do best with two trims a year: one after the spring and summer growth, and a lighter maintenance trim later in the year.

• Very hot weather is the time to avoid. A hard trim just before a run of hot days can scorch fresh cuts and new foliage.

• Box hedges are best trimmed once the new spring growth has hardened off, often from late November before the summer heat.

Nesting birds

Dense hedges are popular nesting spots. In Victoria, all native wildlife is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and it is an offence to harm native wildlife. If we find an active nest while we are working, we will stop and talk to you about leaving that section until the birds have moved on.

Is it a hedge or a tree?

Some screening hedges are really rows of trees, and large ones can be covered by council rules. For example, Kingston's local law applies to trees with a base circumference over 110 cm and to multi-stemmed trees. Trimming is usually fine, but if you want a tall hedge cut down hard or removed, check with your council first.

 

Why choose Razor Blade

• Family owned and operating since 2006

• Level 5 qualified arborist

• Our own crew on every job, no subcontractors

• Fully insured with $20 million public liability

• Truck and chipper on site, clippings taken away

• Standard hours 7am to 5pm

• Free quotes, no obligation

• Site left clean

• 16 five-star Google reviews

If your hedge has grown into trees that also need work, we can handle that in the same visit. See our tree pruning page for more on crown lifting, thinning and reductions.

 

Areas we cover

We trim hedges across Melbourne's South East, including:

• City of Casey: Berwick, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North, Hallam, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills, Doveton, Cranbourne, Clyde North

• Cardinia: Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Officer, Emerald

• Greater Dandenong: Springvale, Dandenong, Keysborough, Noble Park

• Kingston: Dingley Village, Mordialloc, Cheltenham, Mentone

 

Hedge trimming FAQs

How often should a hedge be trimmed?

Most evergreen hedges do well with two trims a year. Fast-growing species may need more to stay sharp. We can suggest a schedule when we see your hedge.

Can you cut a very overgrown hedge back hard?

Often, yes, but it depends on the species. Some plants regrow well from old wood and some do not. Our arborist will tell you what your hedge can handle and whether the cut should be staged.

Do you take the clippings away?

Yes. We chip and remove the clippings and cut material, and leave the site clean.

Can you trim the neighbour's side of the hedge?

We can only work on land we have permission to access. If the hedge sits on a boundary, it is best to agree the work with your neighbour first.

What is the best time of year to trim a hedge?

Late spring and autumn are usually best. Avoid hard trims just before very hot weather, and check for nesting birds in spring.

Do I need a permit to trim my hedge?

Routine trimming usually does not need a permit. Removing large hedge plants, or cutting them back very hard, can fall under council rules, so check with your council if you are unsure.

 

Book a hedge trim

If your hedge is too tall, too wide or too much work, we can bring it back into shape. Call Razor Blade Tree Specialists on 0481 111 804 or email info@razorbladetreespecialists.com.au for a free, no-obligation quote.