Advice · 5 min read
Cedar Hedge Trimming: How the Price Is Determined
The price of a cedar hedge trim isn't set at a fixed rate per linear foot. It depends on the length, the height, the current condition of the hedge, and the type of trim requested. At Gemme sa taille, serving Granby and eight regions across Quebec, you describe your hedge online and get a written price in under 3 minutes, with no site visit required.
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What affects the price of a cedar hedge trim
Two cedar hedges that look nearly identical at first glance can end up with very different quotes. Here's what factors into the calculation:
- The length of the hedge, measured in linear feet or metres.
- The height, which changes the equipment needed and the time on site.
- The condition of the hedge: well maintained, thinning out, or neglected for a few years.
- The accessibility of the area around the hedge.
- The type of trim you're after, from simple upkeep to a hard cutback.
Gemme sa taille's network of partner trimmers covers the Montérégie, the South Shore and North Shore of Montreal, Montreal itself, the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships, Quebec City, and the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. You can check whether your municipality falls within the service areas before filling out your quote request.
The six types of trimming, and why they change the quote
The price of a cedar hedge trim also depends on the type of work involved. There are six approaches, each with its own workload: maintenance, formative shaping, renewal, decorative shaping, cutback, and severe pruning.
Maintenance trimming is the most common. It's meant to keep an already well-shaped hedge in line, cutting back new growth to preserve the existing form. It's usually the quickest job, and often the simplest to price.
A hedge that's grown taller than desired or lost its even shape needs formative or renewal trimming, which is more demanding and takes more time. Cutback and severe pruning, on the other hand, are for hedges that are very thin or overgrown, and require finer judgment on how much can be cut without damaging the hedge. Decorative shapes, like balls, cones, and spirals on shrubs, conifers, or deciduous plants, follow their own logic when it comes to work time. You'll find details on each approach on the trim types page.
Old wood: a limit of the cedar, not the saw
A cedar doesn't respond the same way a flowering shrub does. Once you cut past the green part into bare wood, that section generally won't produce new branches again. That's a fact of the plant itself, not a matter of tools or skill.
This means that on a hedge that's been neglected for several years, a severe cutback may be needed to bring back a coherent shape, but the outcome depends on the condition of the wood underneath the foliage. This is one of the reasons a quote describes your hedge's condition precisely: the price and the recommended trim type change depending on what can still be saved.
When to trim your cedar hedge in Quebec
The trimming season runs from mid-April to the end of October. In practice, trimming mostly happens once the year's new growth has come in, so from late June through the fall. Trimming too early in spring, before the new growth has taken shape, often gives a less clean result. You'll find more details on timing and how a trim unfolds in the FAQ.
What to describe in your online quote request
To get a written price without waiting for a home visit, be sure to include in your request:
- The approximate length of your hedge.
- Its current height and the height you'd like.
- Its general condition: well maintained, thinning in spots, or neglected.
- The type of trim you're looking for: simple upkeep, reshaping, or decorative work.
- Your municipality, to confirm it's part of the service network.
The more precise your description, the more the written price reflects the actual work required. If you're not sure which type of trim fits your situation, just describe what you see and let the assessment take care of the rest. To learn more about the general approach, check out the about page or reach out with your questions through the contact page.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the average price to have a cedar hedge trimmed?
There's no fixed average price, since the cost depends on the length, height, condition of the hedge, and the type of trim requested. The most reliable way to get an exact figure for your hedge is to fill out the online quote request, which provides a written price with no site visit.
What's the rate for cedar hedge trimming in 2026?
There's no single rate that applies to every hedge, since each one has its own length, height, and condition. Pricing is worked out case by case based on the dimensions you provide in the online quote request.
What's the price for an especially tall or wide cedar hedge?
A taller or wider hedge generally requires more work time, which affects the price. Describe its exact dimensions in your quote request to get a written price that reflects your actual situation.
What is a maintenance trim for a cedar hedge?
A maintenance trim involves cutting back new growth to keep an already well-shaped hedge within its current line. It's one of six trim types offered, alongside formative shaping, renewal, decorative shaping, cutback, and severe pruning.
Is cedar hedge trimming available near Granby?
Yes, Gemme sa taille is based in Granby and works with a network of partner trimmers across eight regions of Quebec, including the Montérégie and the Eastern Townships. You can check your specific area on the service areas page before submitting your request.