Useful Stuff

• Home
• New Articles
• Contact Me
• Ask Question

What's Here



• Chainsaws
• Interesting Tools
• Hand Tools
• Power Equipment
• Lawn Equipment
• Pruning Tools
• Reviews
• Garden Sheds



You Tell Me

• Garden Courses
• Advanced Info
• Garden Stories
• Garden Video

In More Detail

• Ebooks
• Annuals
• Bulbs
• Containers
• Compost
• Design
• Disease
• Fruit
• Greenhouses
• Herbs
• Landscaping
• Insect ID
• Lawns
• Perennials
• Propagation
• Ponds
• Pruning
• Roses
• Shrubs
• Tools
• Vegetables
• Vines
• Weeds
• Video

Non-Gardening

• Alzheimers
• Fergus-Frog

Electric Hedge Trimmers

Electric hedge trimmers are the first choice for regular backyard garden use and are more than adequate for regular household hedges of 4ft deep. If your hedge is wider than this, you might consider a gasoline driven model with a longer blade - otherwise, stick to electric.   I have a small machine that I've had for several years because I don't have miles of hedging and can do most of my pruning/shaping with hand tools.

The overall height and depth of your hedges, shrubs and bushes will determine the blade length, the higher and/or deeper the hedge the longer the blade will need to be.

I can't imagine why an urban/suburban homeowner would require a gasoline powered hedge trimmer.

Blade Lengths

Blade lengths vary from 30cm (12inches) to 70cm (28inches)

The short blades are ok for small areas that you want to trim and they are ideal for sculpting hedges, shrubs and bushes.

But, the larger the area that needs trimming, the longer the blade will need to be to make it easier. However, don't forget the longer the blade is the heavier the trimmer will be.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Electric hedge trimmers are relatively cheap, light in weight, usually well balanced, very easy to use, almost maintenance free, reliable and pollution free.

The major disadvantages with electric hedge trimmers is that you need an electric power source and there is a distinct possibility and danger of cutting through the cord.

Basic Safety

Don't use electric models if the hedge is damp or if it's raining. (You aren't Ben Franklin)

Maintenance should be carried out in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, such as cleaning and lubricating.

These machines will take off a finger without a second thought so follow all manufacturer's safety warnings.  There is a reason that many older farmers and landscapers have badly damaged hands and working improperly with cutting equipment is high on that list.

Click here to ask about electric hedge trimmers