Privet Hedge Trimming

What This Service Involves

Privet is a hedging classic that responds to shearing better than almost any other species, producing the dense, formal walls seen around many established Puget Sound properties. It grows fast and buds readily from old wood, so it tolerates tight shaping and even hard renewal cuts when a hedge has gotten leggy. We shear to crisp geometric lines with a slight batter, keeping the top narrower than the base so the bottom does not shade out and go bare. In our climate privet also flushes strongly after each cut, so a couple of shapings per season keep it looking sharp rather than shaggy.

Benefits

Delivers crisp, formal geometric lines; Tolerates tight shearing and hard renewal cuts; Keeps the base full using a tapered batter; Responds with vigorous, quick regrowth; Ideal for classic formal garden screens

Our Process

1) Set string lines or reference the existing formal shape; 2) Shear the top and sides to clean, level lines; 3) Maintain a batter so the base stays wider than the top; 4) Hard-renew leggy sections where regrowth is needed; 5) Blow out and haul all clippings for a sharp finish

What Affects the Cost

Hedge length and desired level of formality; Number of shapings needed per season; Extent of any renewal pruning; Access and debris haul-away; Recurring maintenance schedule

Best Time of Year

Shear in late spring, mid-summer, and early fall to hold crisp lines through the growing season.