4 Hedge Trimming Tools for Cutting Overgrown Bushes

As far as cutting bushes is concerned, you will need some good hedge trimming tools. So, what are these tools?

Well, they could be something as simple as a pair of pruning shears or something as mechanical as a chainsaw!

Keep in mind that it isn’t just the cutting tools that you will need for the job. Other instruments are a must-have! These instruments may include ladders, footstools, rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows.

Hedge Cutting Tools

So, have you got overgrown hedges, and you’re not quite sure how to deal with them? If your answer is yes, then keep reading!

In this article, I’ll be giving you some helpful information about hedge trimmers, as well as some great recommendations.

Let’s go!

Factors To Consider When Trimming Hedges

There are three major factors to consider when it’s time to trim those hedges.

These include –

  • The size of the hedge
  • Your safety while cutting
  • Collection of hedge clippings after the trim

The Size Of The Hedge

The size (or height) of the hedges will determine the kind of tools you will need for the job.

A simple hand-held cutting tool is suitable for small hedges, while the more mechanized power tools are ideal for trimming larger hedges.

The height of the hedges will also determine if footstools or ladders are required.

For smaller hedges, the tools listed below would be suitable –

  • Pruning shears
  • Ratchet shears
  • Hedge shears

For larger, tall hedges, the tools listed below will do –

  • Thermal chainsaw pruner
  • Chain saw
  • Pole saw
  • Step ladder
  • Footstool

Your Safety While Cutting

Hedge trimming may seem like a simple and safe task. It could be, but only when you protect yourself.

Taking your PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) into consideration could be the difference between your safety and a serious injury.

Below is a list of safety gear you will need for trimming hedges –

  • Hand gloves
  • Helmet (if you’re working up a ladder)
  • Boots with thick, non-skid soles (to prevent slipping off the ladder and thorns from piercing the feet)
  • Goggles (to protect eyes from flying clippings)
  • Headphones (to protect your ears from the machine’s noise)
  • Visibility vest (when working close to the road)
  • Safety harness
  • Cones and road signs to create and indicate a perimeter (when working by the road)

Collection Of Hedge Clippings After The Trim

When the work is done, you will have hedge clippings all over the ground. You don’t plan to leave them there, do you?

Here are some tools you will need to clean up the mess –

  • A rake
  • A shovel
  • Tarpaulin (for collecting clippings as they fall)
  • A wheelbarrow

What You Need To Know About Hedge Shears

A hedge shear is the ideal, non-motorized tool you will need for trimming. They are pretty much like a pair of scissors, just a lot larger in size and will require the use of both hands to operate.

They are excellent for trimming branches no larger than 1.5cm in diameter.

Hedge shears usually have two long blades and two long handles (about 30cm long).

There are different types of hedge shears, each suitable for different types of trimming tasks. Care to know which is which? Then keep reading!

Types Of Hedge Shears

Some hedge shears are telescopic, while others are angled. There are adjustable hedge shears too!

I’d like us to look at the two main types of hedge shear blades and the tasks they are best suited for.

They include –

  • Straight blade shears
  • Serrated blade shears

Straight Blade Shears

These are designed to handle simple cutting tasks such as trimming grass at the base of a tree. They can also be used for cutting new up-shoots and softwood shrubs.

With this pair of blades, you can achieve sharp, precise cuts. The pivot of a straight blade shear can be found in the center of the tool. Although some have an off-center pivot design.

Do you know those tight grass areas that a lawnmower can’t reach? A straight blade shear can reach those spots and get the job done!

Serrated Blade Shears

These are quite similar to straight blade shears, only that they have much larger blades and a cutting notch.

They were specifically built for cutting harder branches and more “troublesome” hedges.

Like the straight blade shears, their pivots could be fixed in the center or off-center.

Factors To Consider When Buying Hedge Shears

There are a few things you should keep in mind when purchasing a pair of hedge shears. Remember, you want to get the best out of your tool!

These factors include –

Handles

Be advised to buy a pair of shears that have ergonomic handles.

Such handles will ensure a nice, firm grip on your tool. This is very important, especially if you plan on using it frequently.

Shock Absorption

I recommend you buy shears that come with shock-absorbing bumpers.

These will not only reduce vibration but will absorb reverberation as well.

Quality Of Blades

There’d be no cutting without the blades, right? Shears with high-quality carbon steel blades are what I recommend.

A plus would be if the blades were finished with non-stick coating. These are very effective against softwood since they tend to stick.

4 Tools For Trimming Bush

There are many great brands and models of hedge shears in the market. If I may, I’d like to recommend 4 of my favorites.

Here we go!

  1. Tabor Tools B212 Hedge Shears

One of the reasons I recommend this product is its ease of use. It is built with comfortable telescopic handles that not only absorb shock but allow you to trim those hard-to-reach areas with ease.

The blades are very sharp and have a special wavy design that permits you to cut with ultimate precision. They are also adjustable, so you can trim different types or shapes of hedges.

It weighs 3.31 lbs and has an overall length of 33 inches (blade length is 8 inches). The manufacturer also places a 1-year warranty on it.

Pros

  • Adjustable blades
  • Comfortable telescopic handles
  • Absorbs shock

Cons

  • At 3.31 lbs, it is heavier than some other hedge shears
  1. Okatsune Precision Hedge Shears

When you speak of sharp, precise cuts, then look no further than this pair right here!

The blades are crafted from hot, hammer-forged “Izumo Yasuki” steel, the same steel used in making Japanese swords. Are you still having doubts about how sharp these blades are?

As for the handles, they are made of beautiful Japanese white oak. Please, don’t let the beauty of these handles lead you into thinking they are soft. On the contrary, they are very durable!

To top it all up, these shears are very light; they weigh just 1.12 lbs. This means you can trim for hours without dealing with a heavy tool that could leave strains on your back and shoulders!

I recommend!

Pros

  • It is lightweight
  • It has very sharp blades
  • Strong handles
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Besides being lightweight, it has no extra comfort features
  1. ARS HS-KR1000 Pruning Shears

This pair has a straight blade design made of high carbon steel.

With a blade length of 7 inches, these shears are cut with superb precision!

The downside for me is that they are compact, making them unsuitable for large branch cutting. However, for shaping and pruning, they are simply awesome!

These shears have an overall length of 26 inches, and they weigh just 1.7 lbs. Being so light, they are ideal for working long hours without having to deal with the extra weight burden.

These are among the most durable, long-lasting hedge shears you can find in the market.

As a testament to its durability and superior quality, the manufacturer places a lifetime warranty on this product.

It’s an excellent choice!

Pros

  • They are lightweight
  • Very sharp, high carbon steel blades
  • Easy to use
  • It comes with a lifetime warranty

Cons

  • They are not suitable for heavy-duty cutting
  1. ARS HS-K900Z Extendable Shears

To cut those out-of-reach shrubs, I recommend these professional-grade telescopic shears.

They come with top-quality, hard, chrome-plated blades that guarantee a sharp cut!

The blades are a bit curved, allowing you to have an easier, more precise cut.

They aren’t just suitable for trimming tall hedges. They are also great for wide bushes that are difficult to access in the middle.

The handles can be extended an extra 13.5 inches to give you even better reach. It has an overall length of 45 inches and a blade length of 6 inches.

I have to commend its weight. For a tool that extends so far out, it weighs just 2.16 lbs.

One more thing, it also comes with a lifetime warranty!

Pros

  • They are extendable
  • For a big tool, 2.16 lbs is a fair weight
  • It comes with a lifetime warranty
  • Hard, chrome-plated blades

Cons

  • It’s not ideal for cutting thick branches

Conclusion

I hope the information provided in this article has been helpful.

If you’ve any other recommendations for good hedge trimming tools, kindly share them with us via the comment section.

Thanks & happy trimming!

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