How do I use electric trimmers to cut a hedge straight?

Answer 1

Some have to set up poles with a tight string to act as a guide. Me, I have an eye for it, and just keep the hedge clippers at the same level as I move them across the top. Be careful with those darned electric trimmers, the cord is an awful menace. I spent the money for gas ones, much easier, faster, and will cut better. Do the top first, then the sides. I do the sides from bottom to top, a section at a time.

Answer 2

There are a couple of ways to do that.

One is by using steaks and a couple taught strings like the first person mentioned. Another is to cut a wood cut-out or form that slips over the hedge. Cut it to the shape you want the hedge. Usually, you want a hedge slightly narrower at the top than at the bottom so the bottom branches don't turn brown and all of the undergrowth dies. The bottom branches need light and they won't get the light they need if the hedge is wider at the top. After you've cut the wood form, slide the form over the hedge and cut the hedge to the shape of the form. As you finish a section move the form/cut-out down along the hedge row. This is a good way to cut the hedge to the exact way you want it to look all the way down the entire hedge.

You could also bend a metal pole or something to do the same thing. Then you could run the trimmers right across the pole form to trim. For complex forms, some landscapers will install black metal pole forms right into the hedge or bush. Makes it easy to keep a giraffe looking like a giraffe when all you have to do is trim back to the black metal pole.