Hedges & Shrubbery Maintenance
Benefits
Privacy
The hedges and shrubs at your home deserve just as much care and attention as trees and flowers. They are often neglected, but if maintained properly they can add great beauty and interest to your yard during all seasons. If you don’t already have shrubbery in your yard, they are a great way to increase privacy in urban settings and to complement other trees or flowers that you might have.
Curb Appeal
Maintaining your hedges and shrubbery is a great way to increase curb appeal and make your yard look more put together. Keeping them maintained will help new, healthy growth to flourish while not looking overgrown and neglected.
How We Can Help
At Five Star Tree Services we are happy to tend to your shrubbery and hedges with the same care and precision we would lend to your larger projects. Contact us today to book a consultation and find out how we can give your hedges and shrubs a makeover.
Professional Hedge Trimming in Richmond Hill and the GTA
Hedge and shrub trimming keeps plants dense, healthy and neatly shaped. We trim cedar hedges, privacy screens, boxwood, yew, privet, lilac, spirea, hydrangea and other common GTA shrubs for homes, condos and commercial properties. Every job ends with a full clean-up, so all clippings are bagged and hauled away.
Our Hedge and Shrub Services
- Cedar hedge trimming: shaping and height control for eastern white cedar and other evergreen hedges.
- Formal shaping: clean, straight lines for boxwood, yew and privet hedges.
- Shrub pruning: thinning and shaping flowering shrubs so they bloom better.
- Overgrown hedge rejuvenation: bringing neglected hedges back to a manageable size over one or more seasons.
- Height reduction: lowering tall hedges safely using ladders and platforms.
When Is the Best Time to Trim Hedges in Ontario?
Most hedges in the GTA should be trimmed in late spring to early summer, after the first flush of new growth, with a light touch-up in late summer if needed. Avoid heavy trimming after early September so new growth can harden off before winter. Flowering shrubs have their own timing: spring bloomers like lilac and forsythia should be pruned right after flowering, while summer bloomers can be pruned in late winter.
Hedges are also popular nesting spots for birds. From spring to late summer, we check for active nests before trimming, because nests of many species are protected under the federal migratory bird regulations. See our spring shrub trimming guide for more seasonal tips.
Tips for Healthy Cedar Hedges
- Trim the top slightly narrower than the base so sunlight reaches the lower branches.
- Do not cut back into old brown wood, because cedars rarely grow back from it.
- Water deeply during summer dry spells to prevent browning.
- Shield hedges near roads from winter salt spray with burlap.
Signs Your Hedge or Shrubs Need Professional Care
- The hedge is wider at the top than the bottom, and lower branches are thinning out.
- Gaps or bare patches are appearing in a privacy screen.
- Shrubs are blocking walkways, windows, driveways or sightlines at the street.
- Flowering shrubs are producing fewer blooms each year.
- Branches are dead, broken or covered in pests such as bagworms or scale.
Hiring a professional saves time and protects your investment. Mature cedar hedges can take many years to grow back if they are cut the wrong way, so we use sharp, well-maintained trimmers and hand pruners for clean cuts that heal quickly and keep the hedge full from top to bottom.
Trees and Hedges in One Visit
Many clients combine hedge work with tree trimming and pruning, so the whole yard is cared for in one appointment. Want to add new hedges or privacy trees? Ask about our planting services. Request a free quote or call (416) 990-3355.
Hedge and Shrub Trimming FAQs
How often should hedges be trimmed?
Most hedges look best when trimmed once or twice a year. Fast-growing hedges, such as privet, may need two or three trims per season to keep a crisp formal shape.
Can an overgrown cedar hedge be cut back?
Yes, but carefully. Cedars do not regrow from old brown wood, so we reduce them gradually and keep some green foliage on every branch. Badly overgrown hedges may take two or more seasons to bring back to the desired size.
Why is my cedar hedge turning brown?
Browning is often caused by drought, winter burn, road salt, dog urine or pests. Some inner browning in fall is normal needle drop. We can inspect the hedge and suggest the right fix.
Do you remove the hedge clippings?
Yes. All clippings and debris are cleaned up and removed from your property at the end of the job.
Do you trim hedges for commercial properties?
Yes. We trim hedges and shrubs for homes, townhouse complexes, condos and commercial sites across Richmond Hill, Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Aurora and Newmarket.
Hello, I have been a customer for years and I have got very good experience, wonderful service and great jobs. Thank you.
PaulSatisfied CustomerDear 5 star Landscaping , I have hired you to do tree services for me a couple of weeks ago ,although it was not an easy job your team did a great job with no damages to my property thanks
JackSatisfied CustomerI am really impressed with the service of this company . My tree in backyard was in a very hard location for removal but they removed it very nice and clean without any damage. Their team were very professional and polite. I will recommend them to everybody that looking for a perfect tree service. Susan
SusanSatisfied Customer