The right time · 2 min read
When should you trim a cedar hedge in Québec?
Your hedge is starting to grow past last year’s outline. Before reaching for the hedge trimmer, look at the new growth: a light trim and a major reduction call for different preparations.
Gemme sa taille ·
Let the new growth guide you
For routine maintenance of thuja, commonly called cedar, the Montréal Botanical Garden gives late June as a guideline: much of the annual growth is complete by then. It is a starting point, not a fixed appointment for every hedge in Québec.
New growth is easier to distinguish in early summer. As the season progresses, its colour becomes closer to that of the older foliage. The calendar helps you plan; the plant shows what can be removed.
Source: Botanical Garden: when to trim cedar hedges (in French).
The weather matters too
The pruning season for conifers with continuous growth can extend into early September. However, the Botanical Garden recommends avoiding periods of extreme heat and drought.
If your hedge seems weakened, do not try to improve its appearance by removing more foliage. First, have the problem identified and find out what intervention would help.
Source: Montréal Botanical Garden: pruning conifers (in French).
Say what you want to keep
A request like ‘make it straight again’ can mean several things. Do you want to keep your privacy by the pool, clear a walkway or maintain the top at its current height? Choosing that reference before the visit helps avoid surprises.
Take a front photo and a view along the hedge. Note what bothers you and what you definitely want to keep. For a major reduction, add a photo of the side where you would like to reclaim space.
- Maintenance: trim the recent growth and preserve the shape.
- Size control: specify the width or height you want to bring back.
- Major reduction: have someone assess what the hedge can tolerate.
Plan before the hedge takes over
Dimensions, access and the type of work are more useful than a date chosen at random. The Gemme sa taille online quote tool lets you describe your yard and get a written price. If you are unsure whether you need maintenance or a reduction, explain your goal in the request.
To keep a shape you like, take a photo after trimming too. It will provide a useful reference for the next visit.