Yearly maintenance of your cedar hedge is the best way to optimize its health & appearance. Here are some of the benefits of yearly hedge trimming:
cedar leaf density
The major impact of a regular trim is to encourage the dense leafy growth that allows us to trim your hedge into a smooth, beveled shape. If a hedge is left untrimmed for more than a year or two, its branches grow thick and woody, and its shape unruly. Not only can this be an eyesore, it can also infringe upon your valuable yard space. A hedge that has become overgrown may be what we consider a renovation. But with yearly trimming your hedge will grow denser foliage, allowing us to give it a smooth & even shape. This will let you make the most of your outdoor space, while adding to your property value.
This cedar hedge, with 2-3 years of untrimmed growth, has lost its level top and uniform shape.
This hedge, trimmed regularly, has a smooth shape and tight growth of cedar leaves.
protection from Snow Damage
Ottawa's winters can be pretty harsh, and we often see hedges that have been (sometimes permanently) damaged by snow. The long, shaggy branches of an unmaintained hedge create an uneven surface where snow can easily accumulate. The weight of the snow can snap branches, leaving large holes in your hedge. Sometimes snow damage can be minimized by tying of branches, but other times it can be permanent. Avoiding irregular growth by trimming yearly will help to protect your hedge from this type of snow damage.
Maximized yard space
Regular maintenance helps to keep your hedge to a reasonable size, so that it does not take over your yard space. A hedge has green growth on its outer layer only, with bare branches on the inside, and can only be trimmed back so far without exposing those interior branches. If you allow your hedge to grow shaggy, the threshold to where it can safely be trimmed back without causing damage to the hedge increases in size, and can infringe on space around pools, decks, and precious yard space. Trimming your hedge from a young age will help keep it to a desirable size.
