Hedge Cutting Season: How to Hire Long-Reach Hedge Trimming Equipment from HSS DIY

Written by: Colin Morton, Building Materials - Category Manager

Date: 22 May 2026

Categories: Garden & Outdoor, Garden Power Tools, Tips & Advice - Gardening & Outdoor

⏱ Read time: 6 min 📊 Difficulty: Intermediate 🔧 Time: 4 hours 👷 Manpower: 1-2 people

The hedge is the garden job that stays on the list all year. In winter, nobody wants to do it. In spring, the nesting birds move in and make it legally complicated. By June it has grown six inches since you last looked at it. By late August it is finally reasonable to tackle - the birds have mostly fledged, the weather is still decent, and the neighbours have started giving it meaningful looks over the fence.

The right equipment makes the difference between a satisfying Saturday and a frustrating one. A standard electric trimmer handles a garden hedge at comfortable working height. For tall mature hedges, a long boundary hedgerow or anything above 2 metres, a hired long-reach petrol trimmer is what actually gets the job done without a precarious ladder situation.

At HSS DIY - The Home of Great Projects - you can hire electric and petrol hedge trimmers, long-handled extendable trimmers and tree pruners online 24/7, with next day delivery. You can also buy hedge trimmers outright if regular use makes ownership the right call.

Buy the materials. Hire the tools. One order. All in one place.

When to Cut - The UK Hedge Cutting Calendar

Important: UK Nesting Season and Hedge Cutting Law

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. Most garden birds nest between March and August. Before cutting any hedge in this period, check carefully for active nests.

February to early March: The safest cutting window - most birds have not started nesting and the hedge is bare for easiest inspection
August to September: The second safest window - most birds have fledged. Inspect carefully before starting
March to July: Highest-risk period. Check thoroughly for active nests. If in doubt, leave it alone
Quick check: Walk the hedge length, part the growth gently and look inside. Eggs or young birds visible - leave the hedge for 2-3 weeks until the young fledge

External source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69

Hedge Cutting Day - A Well-Planned Session

Morning - Nest Check and Prep (30 mins): Walk the full hedge length and inspect for active nests. Set up fuel or extension cable. Full PPE on before starting. Position arisings collection if collecting cuttings.

Sides and Faces (2-4 hrs): Start with the sides using the electric or petrol trimmer. Work methodically from one end. Trim both sides before the top. Rake waste as you go.

Top of the Hedge (1-2 hrs): Switch to the long-handled petrol trimmer. Work along from one end maintaining a consistent level. Take this section steadily.

Clear Up (1-2 hrs): Rake waste into barrows. Chip for mulch (see Garden Clearance article) or bag for green waste collection. Return hire machines on the agreed date.

Which Machine Do You Need?

The honest answer depends on two things: the height of the hedge and whether you have mains power close by. Here is the full breakdown:

Electric Hedge Trimmer (600W): For standard garden hedges at comfortable working height. 550mm double-sided blades. Quiet, instant start, no fumes. Must use with RCD outdoors. Not suitable for wet conditions or far from mains power.

Petrol Hedge Trimmer (700mm blade): For larger gardens, long hedgerows and thick growth. 700mm blade cuts twigs up to 18mm. No cable — complete freedom of movement. Petrol not supplied. The right hire when the electric model lacks reach or power.

Long-Handled Petrol Trimmer (2.3m pole): For tall hedges over 2m without needing a ladder. 550mm blade at the end of a 2.3m pole puts the cutting blade safely above head height. Cuts twigs up to 20mm. The most popular hire for homeowners with established mature hedges. Petrol not supplied.

The Hedge Trimmer Range - Hire and Buy at HSS DIY

⚡Electric Hedge Trimmer (600W)|Hire | 550mm dual-action blades | Mains power

Best for: Standard garden hedges at comfortable reach height - quiet residential use

600W motor, 550mm double-sided blades. Quieter than petrol with no fumes. Instant start. Must use with RCD adaptor outdoors. Not suitable for wet conditions. The right hire for a tidy suburban garden where the hedge is under 1.8m and the extension lead reaches.

Hire Electric Hedge Trimmer

⛽Petrol Hedge Trimmer|Hire | 700mm blade | Up to 18mm twig capacity | No cable

Best for: Larger gardens, long hedgerows, anywhere away from mains power

700mm blade covers a wider section per pass. No cable - complete freedom on large gardens and long hedgerows. Petrol not supplied - arrange an approved container before delivery. Fuel can available at checkout.

Hire Petrol Hedge Trimmer

📏Long-Handled Petrol Hedge Trimmer|Hire | 2.3m extension pole | 550mm blade | Up to 20mm

Best for: Tall hedges over 2m - safe ground-level cutting without a ladder

The machine for mature tall hedges. 2.3m pole puts the blade well above head height so you stay safely on the ground. Cuts twigs up to 20mm. Debris falls toward the operator when cutting the top — goggles are essential. Petrol not supplied.

Hire Long-Handled Petrol Hedge Trimmer

🌳Long Reach Tree Pruner|Hire | Extends 2.7m to 3.9m | 300mm cutting blade

Best for: High branches beyond the hedge trimmer range

Extends to 3.9m for reaching high branches. 300mm cutting blade for tough material. A useful complement to the long-handled trimmer for individual high branches alongside hedge work.

Hire Long Reach Tree Pruner

Full hire range: hss.mom/hire/c/outdoor-gardening/hedge-tree-cutting|

Full buy range: Buy hedge trimmers

Technique - Getting a Clean Level Finish

The most common mistake is going too fast. A hedge trimmer works best in smooth overlapping arcs, not quick jabbing strokes. Here is the sequence that produces a professional result:

Sides first, top last. Always trim the sides before the top. The long-handled trimmer pass over the top will clean up any uneven edges left from the side work.
Tilt slightly upward on the sides. A slight inward taper — wider at the base than the top - lets light reach the lower growth and produces a denser hedge over time.
Use the full blade width. Work in broad overlapping sweeps using the full blade length. Short jabbing strokes produce an uneven finish.
String line for the top. A taut string at target height between two canes at each end gives a visual guide for the long-handled trimmer pass. Five minutes to set up, worth far more in time saved correcting a wonky top.
Multiple light passes on overgrown hedges. Two or three lighter passes produce a better result than one aggressive pass through thick growth. The machine does not stall, and the finish is more even.

Hire or Buy? The Honest Hedge Trimmer Verdict

The electric trimmer is cheap enough to own for most homeowners. The petrol and long-handled models are more expensive and more intermittent in use - hire makes sense for the annual or twice-yearly cut.

Watch Before You Start

HSS DIY YouTube — youtube.com/@HSSDIY — Equipment guides from The Home of Great Projects.
How to use a long-handled hedge trimmer — https://youtu.be/diVG9qRZxFU?si=tXuHzexoxy8A5gOh

Safety - Hedge Trimmers Are Serious Tools

Hedge trimmers are among the garden tools most likely to cause injury. The blade is fast, dual-edged and unforgiving of distraction. Here is what matters before switching on:

Both hands on the machine at all times: the blade is fast, dual-edged and unforgiving of inattention. Always use the blade guard, never reach awkwardly for the last few centimetres
EN 166.B goggles - not standard specs: the machine throws debris at speed and unpredictable angles. Wraparound goggles specified on the product pages - use them. For the long-handled model, debris falls toward you - goggles are non-negotiable
Ear defenders throughout: petrol trimmers are loud. The long-handled model held near head height is louder still. Ear defenders on for the full session, not just the louder moments
HAVS - petrol models are high-vibration: product spec lists vibration over 5m/s2, classed as high risk. Wear anti-vibration gloves, take regular breaks, rotate operators on long runs. Daily exposure must be tracked commercially
RCD for all outdoor electric tools: an RCD adaptor must be used with the electric hedge trimmer outdoors. Never use corded electric tools in wet conditions
Never use electric trimmer in wet weather: explicitly stated on the product page. Electric shock risk is genuine and easily avoided by waiting for dry conditions

PPE guidance on all product pages at hss.mom. Safety equipment to buy at HSS DIY alongside your hire booking.

Hedge Cutting Season - Complete Project Checklist

Before you book:

Hedge height: under 2m (electric or petrol); over 2m (long-handled petrol trimmer required)
Nesting season: March to July - inspect for active nests before cutting. August to September - lower risk but still check
Fuel arranged (petrol models): unleaded in approved container. Not supplied. Add petrol can to order at checkout
Arisings plan: chip on-site; bag for green waste; tip run

On the day:

Full PPE before starting: EN 166.B goggles, ear defenders, heavy rigger gloves, S3 boots, long sleeves
RCD in use (electric): always use RCD adaptor with corded electric tools outdoors
Sides before top: trim both sides before tackling the top with the long-handled trimmer
Breaks on long runs: 20-30 minute working sessions with breaks between, particularly on the long-handled machine

Full safety guidance on all machine product pages at hss.mom. PPE goggles, ear defenders, gloves, boots available to buy at HSS DIY alongside your hire booking.

Useful External Sources

RSPB — Nesting Birds: rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/nesting-birds — Definitive UK guidance on checking for nesting birds before hedge cutting.

RHS - When to Prune Hedges: Pruning Hedges: Expert Tips | RHS Advice— RHS timing, technique and species-specific advice for UK hedgerow plants.

HSE - HAVS: hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav - Relevant for trade operators using petrol trimmers for sustained periods.

HSS DIY YouTube: youtube.com/@HSSDIY How to use a long handled hedge trimmer https://youtu.be/diVG9qRZxFU?si=O7QMBAyIktHVV-md

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall a hedge can I cut without a long-handled trimmer?

Comfortably to about 1.5 to 1.8 metres - roughly above your own head height with a standard trimmer - before the reach becomes awkward or you need steps. For hedges over 2 metres, the long-handled petrol hedge trimmer with its 2.3m extension pole is the practical solution. It puts the blade safely above head height while you stay on the ground, which is significantly safer than working from a ladder with a standard trimmer. The RHS advises against using powered tools from a ladder, and most guidance recommends ground-level operation.

Can I cut a hedge in summer if there might be nesting birds?

Not without checking first - and if you find an active nest, not at all until the young have fledged. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, deliberately disturbing or destroying an active bird nest is a criminal offence. Walk the full hedge length, part the growth gently and look inside before starting any cutting between March and July. If you find eggs or young birds, leave the hedge until the young have gone - typically 2-3 weeks from hatching.

What size petrol trimmer do I need for a long rural hedgerow?

For a long hedgerow with mixed growth including branches thicker than 15mm, the 700mm blade petrol hedge trimmer is the right hire. The wider blade covers more per pass, which reduces the time on a long run. For anything over 18-20mm, a trimmer is not the right tool — those need loppers or a chainsaw. For a lengthy hedgerow, consider hiring both: the standard petrol trimmer for the sides and the long-handled version for the top.

Is it worth buying a hedge trimmer rather than hiring one?

Depends on frequency. An electric trimmer is cheap enough to buy outright if you cut once or twice a year on a standard domestic hedge. The Einhell GE-PH 2555A petrol hedge trimmer from the HSS DIY buy range is a good buy for frequent use. Petrol and long-handled models cost more and are more intermittent in use - for an annual cut, hiring is still the right call for most homeowners. Grounds maintenance contractors cutting monthly across multiple properties can justify ownership.

Do I need any training or experience to use a long-handled hedge trimmer?

No formal training is required for domestic garden use. The long-handled petrol trimmer is heavier than a standard electric trimmer and requires starting correctly. Read the instructions on the product page before starting. PPE is essential - particularly goggles, because debris falls toward you when cutting the top of a hedge. Take the first few minutes to get comfortable with the weight and balance before working the full length.

What do I do with the hedge cuttings?

Three options: chip or shred on-site for mulch (see the Garden Clearance article - a hired wood chipper turns hedge cuttings into useful path or border mulch); bag for green waste collection; or tip run. Chipped material takes a fraction of the volume of whole cuttings. If you are already hiring a trimmer for the day, adding a shredder hire to the same order deals with the arisings problem entirely.