Hedge Cutting
Walberton

The optimal time to trim hedges in West Sussex is dependent on the hedge’s style and type, but generally, it is advisable to do so between spring and summer, when hedges experience their most substantial growth. However, there are certain exceptions and considerations to take into account. For example, formal evergreen hedges, such as box and yew, are typically trimmed multiple times during the growing season to produce crisp lines. Informal flowering hedges, such as Escallonia and Viburnum tinus, are pruned immediately after flowering to encourage additional blooms. Deciduous hedges, such as hornbeam and beech, are pruned once in late summer to maintain their leaves throughout the winter. It is illegal under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to trim hedges that contain protected or endangered species during their nesting or breeding season (March to August). Hedges that indicate the boundary of a parish, an estate, a manor, a field system, or an archaeological site may be safeguarded by law and necessitate consent before trimming. It is also sensible to avoid trimming hedges when the weather is dry because this may cause stress to the plants and result in dieback. It is preferable to trim hedges when the soil is moist and the air is humid.