8Hedges and shrubs are an important part of most gardens. A tall hedge can form a natural fence or provide the backdrop for landscaping, while shorter hedges can divide garden spaces and edge paths. Simple round, squared, or cone-shaped shrubs and topiaries frequently frame modern homes’ entrances for classically elegant curb appeal.
To maintain healthy and attractive hedges, shrubs, and certain trees you need to keep the plants trimmed. The simplest way to do that—particularly if you own a large property or you’re a green industry professional maintaining multiple properties—is by using a powered hedge trimmer. Hand-powered trimmers can work for small touchups or if you have just a few shrubs with small branches. But if you’re trimming hedges or maintaining several shrubs, you’ll want a nice hedge trimmer.
Today, we’ll be looking at some of the options you have when shopping for a new hedge trimmer. There are several types of hedge trimmers available. You also have the option for gasoline, electric, or battery-powered models. Finally, there ise a wide range of brands to choose from and we’ll help you narrow down your options. Let’s get started.
Three Types of Hedge Trimmers
Typically when we think of hedge trimmers, we think of a hand-held tool with double-sided cutting blades. Hedge trimmers are also available in single-sided blade options. You can also get extended reach hedge trimmers that look like a cross between a hedge trimmer and a pole saw.
Double-Sided Hedge Trimmer
These trimmers have double-sided cutting blades. This lets you move the blade back and forth in a sweeping motion, cutting with both sides of the blade. Clipping that you cut with trimmers like this fall to the ground or back onto the hedge. Most of the hedge trimmers you’ll see for sale use this style. If you’re only getting one hedge trimmer, this is the obvious choice.
Single-Sided Hedge Trimmer
Single-sided hedge trimmers only cut on one side of the blade. The other side often features a guard that collects clippings as you work so you can discard them after each cutting pass. These trimmers are good for cutting straight sections of hedges and for precise trimming. Blades on these trimmers are often lighter weight and longer than double-sided blades. Professional landscapers might find it useful to have both single-sided and double-sided hedge trimmers. Homeowners who want to sculpt tall hedges might find a single-sided trimmer works better for them than a double-sided one.
Extended Reach Hedge Trimmer
Extended reach hedge trimmers are also called “shafted hedge trimmers” or “pole hedge trimmers.” These tools have the blade mounted at the end of a shaft so you can use it to cut tall or wide hedges. Some have fixed-angle blades, while others have articulating cutting ends that let you adjust the cutting angle. Extended reach hedge trimmers are typically used by commercial landscapers rather than homeowners.
Gasoline, Electric, or Battery Power
There are a few different ways to power hedge trimmers. Some are corded electric models. You need an outlet to plug them in to provide power and an extension cord long enough to reach the hedges and shrubs you’re working on. You’ll be limited by the length of the cord, but you won’t need to worry about refueling or replacing a battery. They’re typically lightweight and easy to use. Like battery-powered models, electric trimmers run more quietly than those with gasoline engines, making them a good choice for noise-sensitive locations.
Battery-powered hedge trimmers are also environmentally friendly and operate more quietly than gasoline-powered models. They are more portable than electric trimmers, and you don’t need to worry about using an extension cord. Battery-powered trimmers tend to be lightweight, even with the addition of the battery. You can keep extra batteries on hand if you need to use the hedge trimmer frequently without pauses to charge.
Gasoline-powered hedge trimmers offer portability and easy refueling. While there are powerful battery trimmers available, the most powerful commercial trimmers are powered by gasoline. Modern gasoline trimmers often have low engine emissions and quieter operation than older trimmers, though they still won’t be as quiet as battery or electric models can be.
You’ll have to look at the pros and cons of each type of trimmer and decide what works for you. With more and more cities banning gasoline lawn equipment, it might be a good idea to go with an electric or battery trimmer if one fits your needs and budget.
Best Brands to Look At
Here at Richardson Saw, we stand behind the quality of the brands we carry. We’re an authorized dealer for Echo, RedMax, and STIHL, with certification and advanced technician training from Echo and STIHL. We also carry EGO battery trimmers. Plus, we always service what we sell.
STIHL offers gasoline, battery, and electric trimmers for both homeowner and commercial applications. You’ll find double-sided, precision single-sided, and extended reach trimmers in a variety of styles. As you’re browsing, keep an eye out for extra features like quick-start engines, rotating handles, and extra-durable commercial battery and gasoline models.
Echo trimmers also come in double-sided, single-sided, and extended reach models. They offer gasoline and battery-powered options. Their selection is a bit more limited than STIHL, but they’re a dependable choice with good features.
RedMax offers a selection of commercial trimmers with long cutting blades. You can get double-sided, single-sided, and extended reach trimmers. Most are gasoline-powered; there is one battery-powered option.
EGO is a top brand in cordless electric power tools. All of their equipment, including hedge trimmers, is powered by lithium-ion battery technology. They offer double-sided hedge trimmers and a trimmer attachment for their Commercial Power Pole with a telescopic shaft.
These four brands are the ones we recommend when you’re shopping for a new hedge trimmer. You can click here to see a selection of the models we carry or stop by our location in Richardson, TX.
Conclusion
You can’t really go wrong if you pick a hedge trimmer from one of the dependable, industry-renowned brands we carry here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower. If you’re not sure what type of hedge trimmer you need or which power source will be best, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. You can stop by and check out the equipment in person and talk with us Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or Saturday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
