Neatly trimmed hedges for a well-kept garden all year round

Hedges are a defining feature of the Swiss landscape: they mark property boundaries, provide shelter from wind and prying eyes, and offer a valuable refuge for local wildlife. But without regular care suited to each species, they lose their density, encroach on neighbouring land or decline. Describe your project to SOS Jardin: your request is passed on to a professional gardener in your area, who prepares a free, no-obligation quote.

What does hedge trimming involve?

Hedge trimming covers all cutting operations aimed at controlling the growth, shape and health of a living hedge. Depending on the goal, there are several types of trimming:

Maintenance trimming: regular cutting (one to three times a year) to preserve the shape and density of the hedge. This is the most common service.
Formative trimming: carried out on young hedges to guide their structure from the early years and achieve a compact, even growth habit.
Rejuvenation pruning: hard cutting back of an old hedge that has become bare at the base or overgrown, to stimulate new growth from the bottom. Not all species tolerate this — a professional will advise you accordingly.
Species-specific trimming: thuja, cherry laurel, hornbeam, box and yew each require different techniques and timing. An experienced gardener adjusts their approach and schedule to each variety.

In Switzerland, federal law and municipal regulations often require minimum planting distances from property boundaries (depending on the hedge height and canton; check with your municipality). Trimming must also respect the bird nesting season, which is protected under nature conservation law.

Why hire a professional?

Trimming a hedge may seem straightforward, but there are good reasons to entrust this work to an expert:

A flawless finish: a professional gardener has the right equipment and the skill to achieve perfectly straight lines and dense foliage.
Respect for species: a badly timed cut on cherry laurel can cause leaf scorch, while box trimmed too late in the season becomes vulnerable to frost. A gardener adapts their method to each species.
Time savings: a 30-metre hedge can take several hours with domestic equipment. A professional completes the same job much faster.
Waste disposal: trimmings are collected, chipped or composted through local channels. You don’t have to deal with anything.
Legal compliance: the professional knows the cantonal rules on maximum hedge height, planting distances and permitted trimming periods.
Disease prevention: a professional spots the early signs of disease (thuja canker, box tree moth, hornbeam mildew) and can act before the entire hedge is affected.
Safety assured: trimming tall hedges (above 2 metres) involves working at height with sharp tools. Professional gardeners are used to working safely at height. For very tall hedges requiring tree surgery, specialist equipment is essential.

Seasonal calendar in Western Switzerland

Trimming timing varies by species and local weather conditions. Here is the calendar professional gardeners typically follow in Western Switzerland:

Spring (March – May)

March: trim deciduous hedges (hornbeam, beech, field maple) before buds break. This is also the ideal time for rejuvenation pruning on species that tolerate it. Important: check for nests before any work begins.
April: active growth resumes. First formative trim on young hedges planted the previous autumn. Health check: identify frost damage and dead branches to remove.
May: first maintenance trim of fast-growing evergreen hedges (thuja, cherry laurel, privet). Thuja is ideally trimmed just after its first spring flush.

Summer (June – August)

June: main trim for box hedges (before box tree moth flight season in July). Second trim for thuja and cherry laurel.
July: trim flowering hedges (forsythia, spirea, weigela) after they finish blooming. Monitor for box tree moth — biological treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis if necessary.
August: final summer trim for evergreen hedges. Avoid trimming after mid-August to prevent stimulating tender new growth that would be vulnerable to autumn frost.

Autumn (September – November)

September: ideal time for planting new hedges (hornbeam, beech, yew, photinia). Warm soil encourages root establishment before winter.
October – November: light autumn trim for hedges that require it. Collecting and disposing of leaves from deciduous hedges. A good time for general garden maintenance and tidying around hedges.

Winter (December – February)

December – February: dormant period. This is the best time for severe rejuvenation pruning on deciduous hedges (hornbeam, beech) and for removing dead hedges that need replacing. If replacement is needed, it is an opportunity to rethink the boundary: metal fencing, gabion wall or new planting.

How it works

Step 1: Describe your project

Tell us the type of hedge (species if known), its approximate length in linear metres, its current height and the desired height after trimming. Mention if the hedge borders a road, pavement or property boundary, as this can affect access and the applicable regulations.

Step 2: Your request is passed on and you get a free quote

SOS Jardin passes your request to a professional gardener in your area, who contacts you, assesses your hedge and provides a detailed, personalised quote, free and with no obligation.

Step 3: The gardener carries out the work

The gardener trims your hedges, including green waste disposal if agreed in the quote. Regular maintenance can also be discussed with them.

What affects the price

The cost of hedge trimming depends primarily on:

the length and height of the hedge;
the species and the type of trimming (maintenance, formative or rejuvenation);
access to the hedge, the slope and the working conditions;
green waste disposal;
how often the work is repeated.

A free quote based on your situation helps you avoid surprises.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a hedge be trimmed?

It depends on the species. Fast-growing hedges such as thuja or cherry laurel need two to three trims per year (spring, summer and possibly autumn). Hornbeam or beech hedges typically need just one to two trims per year. Your gardener will suggest a schedule suited to your hedge.

When should hedges be trimmed in Switzerland?

The first trim of the season is usually carried out between late March and early May, after the last frosts. A second trim follows in summer (June–July) for vigorous species. Important: Swiss federal nature protection law prohibits drastic hedge cutting between 1 March and 30 September to protect nesting birds. Light maintenance trimming is still permitted during this period.

My hedge is bare at the base — what can I do?

A bare base usually results from insufficient light at the bottom or overly superficial trimming over the years. A professional can carry out rejuvenation pruning by cutting the hedge back progressively (over two to three years for some species). Hornbeam and yew respond well to this treatment, whereas thuja does not regrow from old wood — partial replacement may then be the best option.

Can my neighbour require me to trim my hedge?

Yes. In Switzerland, the Civil Code (Art. 687) allows a neighbour to cut branches and roots that overhang their property if you fail to act after a formal request. In addition, municipal regulations often set a maximum height for hedges along property boundaries. It’s advisable to keep your hedge at a reasonable height to maintain good neighbourly relations.

Do hedge trimmings need to be collected?

Yes — trimmings must not be left on public land, and open-air burning is prohibited in most cantons. Waste disposal can be included in the gardener’s quote. Green waste is taken to composting facilities or chipped on site for use as mulch in your garden.

Which hedge should I choose for a garden in Western Switzerland?

The choice depends on your goals. For an evergreen privacy screen, thuja and cherry laurel are the most common but need 2–3 trims per year. Yew (Taxus baccata) grows more slowly but stays dense and elegant year-round. For a countryside hedge that supports biodiversity — increasingly encouraged by Swiss municipalities — a mix of native species is preferred: hornbeam, hazel, dogwood, hawthorn and common privet. These mixed hedges only need one to two trims per year. A professional can advise you during garden creation or a landscaping project.

How do I protect my box hedge from box tree moth?

The box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) is an invasive moth well established in Western Switzerland since the 2010s. Its caterpillars can strip a box hedge bare within weeks. Prevention relies on regular monitoring from April onwards: inspect the inside of the hedge for small green caterpillars and silky webs. Biological treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), applied at the first sign of caterpillars, is effective and environmentally friendly. Two to three treatments per season are generally needed (May, July, September). In severe cases of recurring infestation, some owners opt to replace box with yew or Ilex crenata, which are resistant to the moth.

Can I trim a shared boundary hedge without my neighbour’s agreement?

In Switzerland, if the hedge is planted on your land, you may trim it freely from your side. However, a hedge planted on the property boundary is considered shared: both neighbours must agree on its maintenance and the sharing of costs. For branches overhanging a neighbour’s property, Article 687 of the Swiss Civil Code applies: the neighbour may require cutting after formal notice. Planting distances vary by canton, so check the municipal regulations with your commune. A professional gardener can help you avoid a neighbourhood dispute.

Hedge Trimming in Western Switzerland