How often should hedges be trimmed?

Most hedges benefit from trimming 1–3 times per year, depending on species and growth rate. Fast-growing hedges like English laurel may need seasonal shaping, while slower-growing boxwood often only requires annual maintenance. A proper schedule depends on hedge type, size, and desired appearance.

What’s the best time of year to trim hedges in Washington State?

The best time to trim hedges is late winter to early spring, before active growth resumes. Summer shaping is also common for appearance, but avoid aggressive pruning during extreme heat or drought. Some hedges like photinia or yew can be pruned lightly year-round.

How much does hedge trimming cost near me?

Hedge trimming in the Seattle area typically ranges from $150 to $750+, depending on hedge height, length, access, and debris volume. Overgrown hedges requiring chainsaw-based reduction may cost more

Do you remove and haul away hedge trimmings?

Yes — debris cleanup is included in every hedge trimming job. We chip or haul off green waste unless you’d prefer to compost trimmings onsite. Our goal is to leave your property clean and clear.

Do you offer hedge shaping or specialty pruning?

Absolutely. We can shape hedges into formal walls, soft borders, rounded domes, or layered cloud-style pruning depending on the species. We tailor every trim to your goals, privacy needs, and the natural form of the plant.

Can you trim hedges on sloped or hard-to-reach terrain?

Yes. Our team is trained to work on hillsides, elevated beds, and tight access areas, using ladders, pole trimmers, and safe practices. We’re fully insured and experienced with difficult terrain.

Professional Hedge Trimming & Shrub Pruning in Seattle

Sound Tree Care provides professional hedge trimming and shrub pruning services for residential and commercial properties throughout Seattle. We specialize in maintaining formal hedges, privacy screens, and foundation shrubs with precise pruning that promotes healthy growth, clean structure, and long-term plant vitality.

Unlike basic landscaping crews, our work is performed by trained arborists who understand proper pruning techniques, seasonal timing, and species-specific growth habits. Whether you need routine hedge maintenance or corrective pruning for overgrown shrubs, we deliver clean results that enhance curb appeal and protect your landscape investment.

✂️Schedule Hedge Trimming→

📞Request a Hedge Trimming Quote

Let’s Take Care of Your Hedges the Right Way

From routine hedge trimming to corrective and restorative pruning, Sound Tree Care provides professional hedge maintenance designed to keep landscapes clean, healthy, and code-compliant. Our team trims hedges for proper clearance, visibility, and long-term plant structure—whether you’re maintaining privacy hedges, property boundaries, or formal landscape features.

All hedge trimming services are performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists and follow ANSI A300 pruning standards and ANSI Z133 safety requirements. We’re proud to be a Comcast RISE 2025 recipient and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite multiple years running, trusted by homeowners, HOAs, and property managers throughout Seattle, Bellevue, and the greater Puget Sound region.

💡 Certified Arborists. Trusted by homeowners. Award-winning hedge care since 2020.

👉create an online request to schedule hedge trimming today.

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Services

Our Hedge & Shrub Trimming Services

Professional hedge trimming and shrub pruning performed to arboricultural standards.

We provide specialized hedge trimming and shrub maintenance services for residential properties, HOAs, and commercial sites throughout the Puget Sound region. Our work focuses on plant health, long-term structure, and clean aesthetics — not just fast cosmetic cuts.

✂️ Hedge Trimming & Maintenance

Routine hedge trimming with powered hedge trimmers.

We provide routine hedge trimming and maintenance for formal and informal hedges using professional hedge trimmers. This service focuses on clean lines, even growth, and seasonal timing to keep hedges healthy and attractive over the long term.

Residential, HOA, and commercial properties
Formal screens and natural privacy hedges
Sightline clearance and sidewalk access
Performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists (ANSI A300)

🌿 Shrub & Bush Pruning

Selective pruning — not shearing.

Shrub and bush pruning focuses on selective cuts rather than shearing. We prune ornamental shrubs and foundation plantings to improve structure, airflow, flowering, and long-term plant health.

Seasonal thinning for light and air circulation
Rejuvenation pruning for woody, overgrown, or declining shrubs
Flowering-cycle–aware pruning to avoid unnecessary bud loss

🪚 Overgrown Hedge Reduction (Structural Restructuring)

Chainsaw-based structural reduction — not routine hedge trimming.

When hedges are severely overgrown, routine trimming is no longer appropriate. Overgrown hedge reduction is a structural pruning service that uses chainsaws and arborist tools — not hedge trimmers — to safely reduce size, restore structure, and prevent plant shock.

Chainsaw-based reduction of large, woody stems
Staged reductions to protect plant health
Interior structure restoration (not cosmetic cuts)
Ideal for neglected properties or long-deferred maintenance
Performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists (ANSI A300)

⚠️ Emergency Hedge Services

Access, safety, and time-sensitive issues.

We provide priority hedge trimming and corrective pruning when overgrown hedges create access, safety, or visibility issues that can’t wait for routine scheduling.

Storm-related hedge damage and fallen sections
Hedges blocking driveways, sidewalks, signs, or sightlines
Urgent access issues for homes, businesses, or construction sites
Real estate and inspection prep with tight timelines

🌸 Specialty Hedge Pruning

Precision work for statement landscapes.

Specialty hedge pruning is for high-detail landscapes where precision, timing, and plant biology matter as much as appearance. This includes cloud pruning, niwaki-style shaping, and architectural formal hedges.

Cloud pruning and niwaki-inspired shaping
Japanese maple, pine, yew, and specimen hedges
Formal English-style and architectural hedge designs
Custom height, width, and profile requests welcome
Performed or supervised by ISA Certified Arborists (ANSI A300)

Not sure which service your hedge needs? We’ll identify the right approach during your estimate and explain whether your hedge needs routine trimming or chainsaw-based structural restructuring.

💰Hedge Trimming Cost: Typical Price Ranges in Seattle

Hedge trimming costs in the Seattle area typically range between under $100 and $750+, depending on:

📏Number and height of hedges

🧗 Access, terrain, and slope of the property

🪵 Volume of debris to be chipped or removed

✂️Shape or style requested (formal, cloud pruning, natural)

These ranges are general estimates. Actual pricing depends on hedge size, access, terrain, tools required, and whether the work involves routine trimming or chainsaw-based structural reduction.

Service	Price Range
Small Hedge Trimming	$85-$170
Medium Hedge Trimming	$150 - $300
Large Hedge Trimming	$300+
Overgrown Hedge Reduction (Structural Restructuring)	$500+
Hedge Removal	Starts at $250

🧮 Looking for a Hedge Trimming Cost Calculator?

If you searched for a hedge trimming cost calculator, you’re not alone. The challenge is that no online calculator can accurately account for real-world site conditions.

Actual and target hedge height
Terrain and access limitations
Equipment needed and crew time
Debris volume for disposal or chipping

A hedge that’s 4 feet tall on flat ground may be simple. But at 12 feet high on a slope behind a fence, the complexity — and cost — changes fast.

That’s why we offer something better:
📩 Request a free quote from our ISA Certified Arborists — it’s fast, easy, and based on your property, not an algorithm.

🧑‍🌾 Why Hire a Professional for Hedge Trimming?

DIY hedge trimming often leads to uneven cuts, overexposure, and long-term plant damage — especially with mature or overgrown hDIY hedge trimming often causes uneven growth, sun damage, and long-term decline — especially on mature or overgrown hedges.

Improper timing, tools, or cutting technique can permanently thin hedges or trigger dieback that takes years to recover.

Our ISA Certified Arborists and trained crews:

Make proper pruning cuts that support long-term hedge health
Understand species-specific growth habits and seasonal timing
Use professional-grade equipment and safe work practices
Deliver a clean, consistent finish that enhances curb appeal

Save yourself the time, ladder risk, and cleanup. We handle it safely and correctly.

✅ Why Choose Sound Tree Care?

🧹 Debris Cleanup & Haul-Off Included

All trimming includes cleanup unless otherwise requested. We chip or haul away debris depending on volume, or leave trimmings onsite as mulch if you prefer. No hedge left messy.

Request Hedge Trimming Quote

🌿 Types of Hedges We Trim

We regularly trim and maintain hedges like:

English Laurel
Portuguese Laurel
Boxwood
Privet
Yew
Western Red Cedar
Photinia
Arborvitae

Whether it’s a tight privacy screen or a soft ornamental border, we tailor our approach to the plant type and your goals.

👉Learn more at the blog

Trimming a Leyland Cypress Hedge:

On this Cupressocyparis leylandii, Leyland Cypress hedge, we performed annual maintenance by removing a few inches of growth. This is needed to maintain the access and function of a very small courtyard at this Queen Anne Seattle residence.
With training and annual care, Leyland Cypress can quickly grow into excellent hedges.

Hedge Trimming an English Laurel Hedge

On this Prunus laurocerasus, English Laurel hedge, we performed annual maintenance by removing less than a foot of growth. This is needed to maintain the access and alleyways in this West Seattle neighborhood.

English laurel is classified as a Weed of Concern in King County due to its aggressive growth and ability to spread into forested areas. Proper trimming and debris handling help limit unwanted spread while maintaining functional hedges in urban settings. English laurel hedges often require different pruning strategies than boxwood or arborvitae. We assess this during your estimate.”

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hedge Trimming

How often should hedges be trimmed?
Most hedges benefit from trimming 1–3 times per year, depending on species and growth rate. Fast-growing hedges like English laurel may need seasonal shaping, while slower-growing boxwood often only requires annual maintenance.

A proper schedule depends on hedge type, size, and desired appearance.
What’s the best time of year to trim hedges in Washington State?
The best time to trim hedges is late winter to early spring, before active growth resumes. Summer shaping is also common for appearance, but avoid aggressive pruning during extreme heat or drought. Some hedges like photinia or yew can be pruned lightly year-round.
How much does hedge trimming cost near me?
Hedge trimming in the Seattle area typically ranges from $150 to $750+, depending on hedge height, length, access, and debris volume. Overgrown hedges requiring chainsaw-based reduction may cost more
Do you remove and haul away hedge trimmings?
Yes — debris cleanup is included in every hedge trimming job. We chip or haul off green waste unless you’d prefer to compost trimmings onsite. Our goal is to leave your property clean and clear.
Do you offer hedge shaping or specialty pruning?
Absolutely. We can shape hedges into formal walls, soft borders, rounded domes, or layered cloud-style pruning depending on the species. We tailor every trim to your goals, privacy needs, and the natural form of the plant.
Can you trim hedges on sloped or hard-to-reach terrain?
Yes. Our team is trained to work on hillsides, elevated beds, and tight access areas, using ladders, pole trimmers, and safe practices. We’re fully insured and experienced with difficult terrain.

🗺️ Service Areas – Where We Offer Hedge Trimming

We provide expert hedge and shrub trimming across the greater Seattle metro:

👉 Seattle – All neighborhoods, including West Seattle, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Ballard
👉 Bellevue – Medina, Eastgate, and surrounding communities
👉 Kent – Residential and commercial properties throughout the valley
👉 Renton – From Highlands to Fairwood
👉 Tacoma – Contact us for availability
👉 Sammamish & Issaquah – Hillside trimming and large property hedges

Call us to confirm availability or request a quote online.

📚 Want to Learn More About Hedge & Shrub Trimming?

Explore expert tips from our ISA Certified Arborists on the Sound Tree Care Blog! Learn:

🌿 How to trim hedges and shrubs without damaging growth
📅 Best times of year to prune for shape and plant health
🧹 What to expect before, during, and after a professional trimming

Whether you're tackling laurel, yew, boxwood, or cedar, these articles offer professional insights to help you keep your landscape looking its best — year-round.

Hedge Trimming - you asked, we answered - Sound Tree Care

Hedge Trimming FAQ: 18 Common Questions Answered by a Certified Arborist

By Eric Ledford • July 4, 2023

A Seattle ISA-certified arborist answers the top 18 hedge-trimming questions. Clear, practical guidance on timing, techniques, costs, and maintenance tips.

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Hedge Maintenance Tips: How to Keep Your Hedges Healthy Year-Round

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🌿Professional Hedge Trimming & Shrub Care

Sound Tree Care provides professional hedge trimming and shrub care in Sammamish and across the Puget Sound. Our ISA Certified Arborists deliver clean, code-compliant pruning for homes, HOAs, and managed properties.

📍 Serving the Greater Puget Sound Region

We proudly provide hedge trimming services across Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Kent, Renton, and surrounding communities—including Sammamish, Issaquah, Shoreline, and beyond.

⭐ Why Homeowners Choose Sound Tree Care

✔ ISA Certified Arborists & TRAQ-Qualified
✔ Licensed, bonded, and fully insured
✔ Clean job sites and debris haul-off included
✔ Trusted by homeowners, HOAs, and property managers
✔ 5-Star reviews across Google, Yelp, and Facebook

🌿 Get a Hedge Trimming Estimate (Online)

📞 Or call and arborist 206-486-7790

Professional Hedge Trimming & Shrub Pruning in Seattle