Like many homeowners, you most likely have hedges and shrubs that you do regular maintenance on. Shrubbery can truly enhance the appearance of your property. A very common coniferous evergreen tree you see growing around hedges and yards is the leylandii.
If you do not trim your leylandii bushes, they will grow out of control. This is something you definitely don’t want.
But what is the best hedge trimmer for leylandii? Although there are many suitable units currently available on the market, I think the best hedge trimmer for leylandii is the Greenworks 22-Inch 4-Amp Corded Hedge Trimmer 2200102.
Like most tools, you can get it from Amazon.com.
There are many reasons why the Greenworks 22-Inch hedge trimmer is perfect for trimming leylandii which I will get into the specifics of later in the article.
Greenworks 22-Inch 4-Amp Corded Hedge Trimmer 2200102
This is the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Why exactly is the Greenworks 22-Inch the best hedge trimmer for leylandii?
As stated above, leylandii is renowned (or notorious) for growing to unattainable heights. The 22-inch bar allows you to reach higher up than other units do. Once your hedge goes beyond eight feet, you may not have any other choice but to purchase the services of a professional arborist or tree surgeon.
This is an extra expense you do not want.
There are many reasons why the Greenworks 22-Inch is a superior hedge trimmer for trimming leylandii to a manageable height and width. The 4-Amp motor is powerful enough for this job. The steel blade is very sharp, which means you get optimal performance when trimming.
Additionally, the Greenworks 22-Inch features a 9/16 – inch cutting capacity that makes cutting thick leylandii considerably easier. But most importantly, this trimmer is easy to handle while powerful enough to get your task done with minimal frustration.
As an aside, it features a cord lock that prevents accidental unplugging. Take it from me. I can tell you personally that there is nothing more irritating than a cord that continually unplugs while you’re in the middle of an intensive trimming session.
Check out this video from Greenworks to see it in action:
Other advantages of the Greenworks 2200102
Just like other hedges, leylandii has a tendency to become quite thick – especially if it isn’t trimmed regularly. And yes, as you might have suspected, trimming an entire hedge of leylandii is a time-consuming task.
Due to the sharp blades, cutting capacity and maneuverability of this Greenworks hedge trimmer, you can get the job completed in a relatively short amount of time.
It is much tougher than many lower-powered models and also has a rotating handle. The rotating handle is a great asset because it better enables the user to go from vertical to horizontal cutting by simply rotating the handle.
I have used different hedge trimmers, but I can honestly say that the Greenworks 22-Inch model is worth its weight in gold. A few years ago, I was faced with the monumental task of trimming an overgrown leylandii hedge.
At first glance, it seemed impossible due to the sheer thickness of the hedge. Once I got started, it was smooth sailing. A few hours later, the hedge looked very appealing in appearance. There was little starting and stopping (okay, perhaps to drink water as it was a warm day) but otherwise, the model worked like a dream.
What is undoubtedly the best feature of the Greenworks hedge trimmer is the 22-Inch bar. Not only does it reach farther, it is fast and sharp.
Another good thing about this model is its price. Being a corded hedge trimmer, it’s in the lower end of the price range so it won’t cost you much if you are on a budget. You can check the current price on Amazon.com.
Some tips about using the Greenworks 22-Inch hedge trimmer for trimming leylandii
Don’t go too fast. Start by trimming the outer branches and work inward. Take your time and do a good job. If your hedge borders a neighbors’ property, I advise you to consult your neighbor as their side will need trimming as well.
Like many folks in this day and age, you’re busy and you don’t always have time to get to yard maintenance. If for some reason your leylandii hedge has grown very high, I recommend using a ladder to reach the areas you cannot get from the ground.
When you’re trimming, always remember to leave four inches of green foliage on the hedge. Do this before your trimmer reaches the brown wood inside the hedge.
If you cut too much of the green foliage, you could run into issues in hot and dry weather whereby the foliage becomes scorched and has great difficulty re-growing.
Characteristics of leylandii
If there is one thing that can be said about leylandii is that this tree/hedge is known to grow to tall heights, as high as 15 feet. In fact, many municipalities in the United Kingdom have legislation that fines property owners for allowing their leylandii hedges to get too high.
It is recommended that you trim your leylandii hedges at least twice a year. On the other hand, if you trim them too often, they will not get the chance to put on any regrowth before spring, which means they are susceptible to summer heat and even droughts.
Furthermore, it is advisable to trim leylandii hedges to the same height and width every year. This ensures that it doesn’t grow taller or wider. The spring and summer months are the best time of the year to do your trimming. Just don’t do so during heatwaves.
Do not trim leylandii hedges in late autumn as they will be at risk to get attacked by Cypress Aphid.
Gas – powered or electric trimmer?
There is much debate with regards to which type of trimmer is most effective for trimming hedges, specifically leylandii. The short answer is that both are good. Considering that many ordinary folks who want to trim their leylandii hedges live in suburban or quasi – suburban areas, I believe that an electric model is better for trimming in this environment.
Why? You may be wondering. For starters, unless your property is expansive, you can buy extension cords that are long enough so that you can maneuver around. Also, electric models like the one I recommend are quieter and require less maintenance.
Conclusion
Before starting to trim, make sure the blades are sharp so that they will cut branches instead of merely ripping them off. Yes, I have seen this happen – and it isn’t very nice. If you use the Greenworks 22-Inch properly and safely, trimming and maintaining leylandii will become an easy – even enjoyable – task.