Excellent video I've always cut laurels with hedge cutters mainly because the laurel hedges I prune are high and long and would take forever if I sheared them lol. The quality of them laurels you did spot on and good tip to anyone starting out 👍
Agreed, broadleaved plants don't cut well with hedge trimmers, shears are better. Sadly for me most of my laurel hedges are massive and the hand and long reach petrol hedge cutters are a must, couldn't cut these hedges with hand shears, well you could but the effort and reach required would almost make it impossible.
I know the feeling Brian. Maybe there’s an idea in this, invent super long extendable hand shears for jobs just like this 😁 time consuming but much neater.
Great video, but as a guide I would suggest hedge trimmer for very tall neglected hedges, shears for Laurels under 8 feet, but for that perfect finish, use secateurs, it take ages, but it’s well worth it.
Definitely shears when possible, makes such a difference as you’ve shown 🙂 if I do use a hedge trimmer, I’ll ensure it’s sharp and finish up with the shears anyway to tidy up the main tears to the leaves 🙂
Defiantly use sheers if client agrees with price, if not, it's always a good idea to use a dedicated hedge cutter as opposed to long reach if possible, and go over with secateurs just to tidy up after, it's all about cost in the end.
100% agree that shears do a better job on Laurel a clean cut will reduce the amount of brown leaves in the weeks after a cut aswell (clean cuts heal better) Your shears look like that could do with a good clean 😉
I agree if its a relatively small hedge 100 % get yourself some okatsune shears you will never look back afterwards But on a large hedge not a chance as it would be far to expensive for customers Good luck with the channel 👍
In my opinion, the best thing to do with a laurel hedge is dig it up. I've got 98 linear metres of it, and when I bought the house it had been left to go wild, 4 metres high in places. So the first job involved a chainsaw to get it down to 1,2 metres. The I left it to regrow some foliage and now I trim it twice annually with shears. Still hate it, but it looks acceptable now. My woodland though is infested with the bloody stuff, from all the abandoned hedges in the area flowering and making fruit. A useful fact is that well seasoned laurel wood makes excellent firewood, but you can't split the really thick stuff!
Absolutely, totally, definitely agree, cut the things back and then rip the roots out and replant with a hedge that offers a colourful leaf or flower even. We are called out frequently to deal with feral laurel hedges and the householder is amazed at the cost. If they are to stay we recommend cutting them right back and down to about 4ft. The following year they’re 2 ft higher!!!! An aggressive and invasive species, and we have to be very careful where we tip the chippings. Some private green waste tips won’t touch the stuff. Bamboos another followed by leylandii, the only good aspect of these plants is the income they generate. In summary therefore….go the nursery and spend your hard earned money on laurel, bamboo and leylandii and we’ll see you in a couple of years. Must think positive in this life!!!
Oooh, controversial! 😂 I actually would not have considered using shears, but now that I’ve watched this I just might. Obviously the size of the hedge dictates if it’s feasible or not. Laurel is a tricky hedge to cut and leave looking good. All the best with the channel.
One of my pet hates seeing laurel hedges shredded and going brown in the sun. Unfortunately it is very time consuming to do properly for some.and customers dont want to pay for that extra time. Some do though. I always point it out to the customer what is best for the shrub, but then its up to them. I actually hate to brutalise laurel and others like this ,Refreshing to see a proper gardener. 😊👍
My only concern about using shears, you should as a rule always make sure the blades are clean, like when pruning roses etc. If they are not clean you risk spreading any disease from leaf to leaf such as "honey funghi".....
@@TheGreyGardener1990 it’s going good thanks! I haven’t got on as much content as I would of liked but that’s mainly because I’m going around south east Asia at the minute so don’t have the chance. Soon as I’m back I can start getting more stuff out which will be cool. Do you try and get one out a week? Good amount of subs you have there!
@@maintainyourgarden ah wow, enjoy! Yeah one a week is my minimum. I bulk film and edit so currently I have about 15 videos filmed, edited and ready to go on schedule each week up until mid april. This is good if you have a busy few weeks or you want to take a break etc and you can do that knowing you've still got videos coming out. If you ever want to drop me an email if you've got any questions or whatever about youtube feel free. 100 subs for the amount of videos you have is class by the way. Keep it going mate 👍
@@maintainyourgarden youtubes algorithm will favour and push a channel more that produces regular videos. Think I read 1 per week so that's why I do it that way
Yes … but forget the Bahcos and anything similar. Japanese sheers - Okatsunes for example - are a whole WORLD of difference, entirely as a result of the Japanese steel quality. They may be more expensive but ARE THEY WORTH IT!
You compare two very different hedges, the first was a very neglected untrimmed hedge with extreme whippy growth extenstions....The second a managed hedge, you avoided a close up with the camera though on the finish... Times money...Body wear will come to...
Excellent video I've always cut laurels with hedge cutters mainly because the laurel hedges I prune are high and long and would take forever if I sheared them lol. The quality of them laurels you did spot on and good tip to anyone starting out 👍
Thanks mate. I know, sometimes it’s not worth taking the time if what your getting paid doesn’t justify it. Much more satisfying finish though.
Agreed, broadleaved plants don't cut well with hedge trimmers, shears are better. Sadly for me most of my laurel hedges are massive and the hand and long reach petrol hedge cutters are a must, couldn't cut these hedges with hand shears, well you could but the effort and reach required would almost make it impossible.
I know the feeling Brian. Maybe there’s an idea in this, invent super long extendable hand shears for jobs just like this 😁 time consuming but much neater.
Great video, but as a guide I would suggest hedge trimmer for very tall neglected hedges, shears for Laurels under 8 feet, but for that perfect finish, use secateurs, it take ages, but it’s well worth it.
Blimey Mike if I was to use secateurs I’d of been there all day haha. Sure it would be neat though!
@@maintainyourgarden yeah I know fella, but if you’re on an hourly rate…😜
Happy to subscribe mate. Good video. Good luck growing your channel
Thanks a lot mate! 👍🏽
Definitely shears when possible, makes such a difference as you’ve shown 🙂 if I do use a hedge trimmer, I’ll ensure it’s sharp and finish up with the shears anyway to tidy up the main tears to the leaves 🙂
Yep I’ve done the same Will (if I can reach with shears that is).
I wonder if you could do bigger laurels with a rotary scissor attachment
Aston, I'm so glad I found you!! I'm struggling to cut my laurel hedge which is a pain in the posterior!!! I just dont know what to do! Help!!
Honest I'm fighting with the dam thing! I'm trying to get a photo on here but it won't let me
Defiantly use sheers if client agrees with price, if not, it's always a good idea to use a dedicated hedge cutter as opposed to long reach if possible, and go over with secateurs just to tidy up after, it's all about cost in the end.
I agree, it’s not always possible to use shears but the finish is just so much more satisfying when you do
Shears yes but after a summer i get very sore tennis elbow
100% agree that shears do a better job on Laurel a clean cut will reduce the amount of brown leaves in the weeks after a cut aswell (clean cuts heal better) Your shears look like that could do with a good clean 😉
Yep you’re right Rob! Also - yes they are long overdue a clean, along with most of my tools at the minute 🤣
You need to look at a vid on how to look after your tools properly.
Thank you. I found this really helpful.
No problem glad you liked it👍🏽
Good job
Thanks mate!
Thank you! This video is very helpful. Also what is the name of the beautiful music?
I agree if its a relatively small hedge 100 % get yourself some okatsune shears you will never look back afterwards
But on a large hedge not a chance as it would be far to expensive for customers
Good luck with the channel 👍
Great point!
In my opinion, the best thing to do with a laurel hedge is dig it up. I've got 98 linear metres of it, and when I bought the house it had been left to go wild, 4 metres high in places. So the first job involved a chainsaw to get it down to 1,2 metres. The I left it to regrow some foliage and now I trim it twice annually with shears. Still hate it, but it looks acceptable now. My woodland though is infested with the bloody stuff, from all the abandoned hedges in the area flowering and making fruit. A useful fact is that well seasoned laurel wood makes excellent firewood, but you can't split the really thick stuff!
I’ve heard about the firewood but never tried it myself! You’re right though - it can be a nuisance but can look pretty neat if kept on top of!
Absolutely, totally, definitely agree, cut the things back and then rip the roots out and replant with a hedge that offers a colourful leaf or flower even. We are called out frequently to deal with feral laurel hedges and the householder is amazed at the cost. If they are to stay we recommend cutting them right back and down to about 4ft. The following year they’re 2 ft higher!!!! An aggressive and invasive species, and we have to be very careful where we tip the chippings. Some private green waste tips won’t touch the stuff.
Bamboos another followed by leylandii, the only good aspect of these plants is the income they generate.
In summary therefore….go the nursery and spend your hard earned money on laurel, bamboo and leylandii and we’ll see you in a couple of years. Must think positive in this life!!!
Any tips on easiest way to collect all the cuttings afterwards?
Buy big dust sheets and put them down first so you can kind of fold it up and tip it in the bin/skip
Oooh, controversial! 😂 I actually would not have considered using shears, but now that I’ve watched this I just might. Obviously the size of the hedge dictates if it’s feasible or not. Laurel is a tricky hedge to cut and leave looking good. All the best with the channel.
Thanks mate appreciate it.
Very informative, thanks for sharing.
No problem Diana. Glad you liked it!
Good luck with the channel
Thanks Shazia
One of my pet hates seeing laurel hedges shredded and going brown in the sun. Unfortunately it is very time consuming to do properly for some.and customers dont want to pay for that extra time. Some do though. I always point it out to the customer what is best for the shrub, but then its up to them. I actually hate to brutalise laurel and others like this ,Refreshing to see a proper gardener. 😊👍
I agree with all of that, the brown ripped edges do end up looking awful! Thanks a lot appreciate it 👍🏽👍🏽
nice work mate 👍
Thanks!
My only concern about using shears, you should as a rule always make sure the blades are clean, like when pruning roses etc. If they are not clean you risk spreading any disease from leaf to leaf such as "honey funghi".....
Agree!
Growing a griselinia hedge 1.4m atm, smaller leaf, do you advise same method. ty
Yep I would indeed! Always get a neater cut with the shears.
That said, it depends on the size of the hedge/shrub. If doable I usually try and use shears.
Good video mate
Thanks mate
@@maintainyourgarden how are you finding youtube? I see you've got a couple of videos on your channel now
@@TheGreyGardener1990 it’s going good thanks! I haven’t got on as much content as I would of liked but that’s mainly because I’m going around south east Asia at the minute so don’t have the chance. Soon as I’m back I can start getting more stuff out which will be cool. Do you try and get one out a week? Good amount of subs you have there!
@@maintainyourgarden ah wow, enjoy! Yeah one a week is my minimum. I bulk film and edit so currently I have about 15 videos filmed, edited and ready to go on schedule each week up until mid april. This is good if you have a busy few weeks or you want to take a break etc and you can do that knowing you've still got videos coming out.
If you ever want to drop me an email if you've got any questions or whatever about youtube feel free. 100 subs for the amount of videos you have is class by the way. Keep it going mate 👍
@@maintainyourgarden youtubes algorithm will favour and push a channel more that produces regular videos. Think I read 1 per week so that's why I do it that way
Thanks🧐👍🏻
Amateur but perfect job, nothing worse than a shaggy hedge job. Well done you 👍
Thanks Ken I agree - appreciate it 👍🏽
Yes … but forget the Bahcos and anything similar. Japanese sheers - Okatsunes for example - are a whole WORLD of difference, entirely as a result of the Japanese steel quality. They may be more expensive but ARE THEY WORTH IT!
Shears give an excellent finish, but some hedges are just too big, and clients want the job to be done as quickly as possible due to cost!
Totally agree, I understand it can’t always be done - much higher job satisfaction if you can though!
Great advice. Those hedges look good.
On the video production side, maybe don’t pan the camera left and right so much as it’s giving me a headache!
Thanks Sean. you’re not the only one to mention that. I’ll take it on board the the next ones 👍🏽
That’s okay for a small edge what about a 7foot edge.
Hi Ken, I’m aware of this, the first example was about 15 ft that’s why I used the long reach 😁👍🏽
Rusty pair of hand shears. I'll stick with my HS81R
That’s cool. You can always get a new pair though 👌🏽
@@maintainyourgarden you need clean your set fella.
@@losttheplot26 a little rust doesn’t matter if they’re sharp and clean
You compare two very different hedges, the first was a very neglected untrimmed hedge with extreme whippy growth extenstions....The second a managed hedge, you avoided a close up with the camera though on the finish...
Times money...Body wear will come to...
State of it 🤦♀️
I know it was bad wasn’t it. 😉
@@maintainyourgarden terrible it will grow like bloody mad now and look a mess.
@@aaron6841 😂😂👍🏽
@@maintainyourgarden 🤷🤷🤷