Hi. Okay, this is going to sound daft too, but need a bit of expert advice.

Can anyone advice me on a heavy duty hedge trimmer ? I've been through two already. Just normal B&Decker ones. The one I had last was a corded one which can cut branch sizes around 25mm. I thought it was okay until it broke down on me. Is it worth getting it fixed, or should I just go ahead and buy a different one ?

Has anyone ever used a petrol trimmer, or does anyone ever use a chainsaw for their hedges ? I have around (apparently) 2 x 40 feet of hedges, and a front garden bit in the shape of a U. Hedge trimming drives me nuts !

I've decided to get a trimmer instead of a chainsaw.

Has anyone ever used a petrol trimmer, what brands or things I need to look out for ? I've only seen a reasonable McCulloch one in B&Q. Any other makes which are good for trimmers or petrol equipments ?

I use an electric trimmer for my privet edge but it can be quite hard going. I got my brother to chainsaw it in half (like a knife through butter) a couple of years ago so it's at a manageable height. If you use a chainsaw, get a professional to do it :thumbsup:

There's also a product called Cutlass, which unfortunately isn't environmentally friendly. You spray it on and it retards the growth so it only has to be trimmed once or twice a year.

Thanks very much for the tip ! :love:

I have been battling with the hedge for almost 4 years now. I'm ready to throw in the towel. I often wondered why my neighbours only come out twice or three times a year to snip theirs with a light electric trimmer. :confused: Whereas I've already broken two over the years trying to get it down to size.

Is it okay to trim it at this time of the year now ? Cos I've read somewhere that it'll grow back twice as much in the next summer. I don't really know when I should or shouldn't cut the privet. I'm tempted to cut it down now, but then it'll look brown and bare, and I don't know whether it'll die on me. Don't want that when it's shared hedges. :help:

It does tend to drop a few leaves in winter, but should grow back well enough the following spring. If it's becoming a problem, I would definitely recommend a chainsaw initially, when the leaves grow back, carefully spray it, then you should be able to leave it 6 months before trimming with normal hedge trimmers.

If you go for an electric one - it's worth getting one that charges up thus you have no cables to worry about.

I just got a flymo cordless that i'm going to take back. It has a big long extendable handle but is very awkward to maneuvre, it also hinge as far as to a right angle to cut over the top but this measn the weright is all out of balance and it's almost impossible to hold it steady. AAlso, it has a very high powered battery which fits on a belt rather than on the thing itself, which is fine in theory although it is VERY heavy on the shoulder belt. Despite the large battery it also has very little 'oomph'

So, if anyone has a better recommenadtion please let me know.

Craig