I "pruned" our laurel savagely with a petrol hedge cutter with no ill
effects. I found that the leaves were so large they did not really engage in
the cutters whereas the stems were sliced nicely so the effect was fine.
Holly works the same way.

The secret of hedge cutters is twofold - light weight but not sacrificing
power. Extra weight is a real killer.

Harry
"nick gray" wrote in message
...

"Ed" wrote in message ...
Instead of using the usual secateurs to cut the laurel hedge twice a
year,
we're planning to invest in a mechanised hedge cutter. The hedge is at
least 30ft x 6ft high and runs round some of the garden, with pavement
on
the other side.

Does anyone have any advice - ie what would be best for the job? I
imagine
one without a flex would be better, but I don't really know. Are there
some
to definitely avoid or beware of? Are there small ones, large ones,
light
ones, heavy ones?

I'd be very glad of some advice on this as I'm a real beginner as
regards
hedge cutters. Thanks.

Hi Ed,

As laurel has large leaves, you'd be better off sticking with the
secateurs.
Pruning with a hedge trimmer whether electric or petrol will damage the
leaves and cause them to brown.

HTH.

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk