Holly Hedge Trimming

What This Service Involves

Holly makes an excellent formal and security hedge in the Puget Sound area thanks to its dense, spiny, glossy evergreen foliage. It buds well from old wood and tolerates tight shaping, but the sharp leaves and hard wood call for the right tools and protective handling, which our crews come equipped for. We shear to clean lines and can hand-prune above nodes where whole leaves look best, maintaining a taper so the base stays full. On berry-bearing English holly we time cuts to preserve winter berries where clients want that seasonal color, or shear freely where a plain formal wall is preferred.

Benefits

Creates a dense, secure spiny screen; Holds glossy evergreen color year-round; Tolerates tight, formal shaping from old wood; Preserves winter berries when desired; Maintains a full base with a proper taper

Our Process

1) Assess density, berry set, and any dieback; 2) Establish clean formal lines with a base-wide taper; 3) Shear or node-prune faces depending on the look wanted; 4) Time cuts to protect berries where requested; 5) Rake spiny clippings carefully and haul all debris

What Affects the Cost

Hedge size and desired formality; Whether berries must be preserved; Extra handling for spiny, hard wood; Access and debris haul-away; Ongoing maintenance frequency

Best Time of Year

Trim in late spring or summer; for berried holly, hold heavier cuts until after the winter display.