Hedge Trimming: September, 2026

If you look out at your garden today, your hedges are likely telling the story of a very turbulent summer. We have just experienced the UK’s hottest summer on record, packed with intense heatwaves that left lawns parched and soil baked solid…

But… in true British fashion, September has swept in with a wave of heavy rain and blustery winds.

If your hedges now look like a chaotic mix of dry, brittle patches and sudden wild growth spurts, you aren’t alone.

The extreme weather of the past few months has created unique challenges for garden hedges. During the summer drought, many shrubs went into survival mode, slowing their growth down. The moment the late-summer rains hit, those plants desperately drank up the water, triggering an explosion of weak, leggy growth.

Trimming them now is no longer just about keeping up appearances for the neighbours; it's about plant health and safety:

• Preventing Splitting and Sagging: All that new growth acts like a sponge. When soaked by heavy September downpours, hedges become incredibly top-heavy, which can cause the internal framework of the hedge to sag or permanently split.

• Stopping Fungal Rot: The combination of dense, overgrown foliage and wet weather creates a humid trap inside the hedge line. Thinning and trimming the exterior lets the wind pass through, drying out the wood and preventing damp-loving fungal diseases from taking hold.

When to Call the Pros:

• Massive Height Reductions: If your hedge grew completely out of hand and now needs feet, rather than inches, taken off the top, doing this improperly can shock a heat-stressed plant.

• Health Inspection: Does your hedge look beyond help? We can advise about hedge removal and re-planting.

• Working at Height: We are able to cut hedges of all sizes to save you the hassle.

Jack Cotterill Tree Services is always happy to help with hedges of all sizes. Get in touch today to organise a quote!