How to Trim Bushes and Shrubs to Achieve a Beautiful Garden

Give your landscaping a fresh cut

A house with a beautiful garden filled with shrubs and bushes
Photo: tab62 / Adobe Stock
A house with a beautiful garden filled with shrubs and bushes
Photo: tab62 / Adobe Stock
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

Overgrown shrubs and bushes can make your otherwise pristine yard look messy. On top of that, if you don’t learn how to trim bushes, you may end up with diseased and damaged branches, which can lead to an infestation of garden pests. Instead, take a few steps to keep your shrubs and bushes healthy and pest-free by learning how to trim shrubs and bushes and keep them in tip-top shape.

5 bush maintenance tools compared visually, including a hedge saw, chainsaw, and hand pruner
Photos: ArtistGNDphotography / E+ / Getty Images, zoff-photo / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, ArtistGNDphotography / E+/ Getty Images, Malorny / Moment / Getty Images, boonchai wedmakawand / Moment / Getty Images

When to Prune Shrubs and Bushes 

Before starting your project, you’ll want to determine the right time of year to trim your shrubs and bushes. For example, you’ll want to cut blooming shrubs in the wintertime when they’re dormant. You can trim non-blooming shrubs throughout spring, summer, and early fall—but not late in autumn because the plant won’t have enough time to mature before it goes dormant for the winter.

How to Trim Bushes and Shrubs

 Shrub trimming in action with a hedge trimmer
Photo: Carbonero Stock / Adobe Stock

Regularly pruning trees and plants helps them grow fuller and stay vibrant for many years to come. So, before beginning your trimming project, lay down a tarp to catch fallen leaves and branches. And make sure to wear protective gear—such as safety glasses and work gloves. Depending on how much trimming is necessary, you should gather the following tools and materials for this project:

  • Hand-held pruner

  • Loppers

  • Hedge trimmer

  • Tarp

  • Level

  • Landscape stakes

  • Mason line

  • Gloves

  • Safety goggles

Below, we’ll cover all of the ways to trim shrubs and bushes safely and effectively:

How to Trim Using a Hand-Held Pruner

Before you try trimming a bush, remember to check for pest nests first. Always wear protective gear for your eyes and hands to prevent injuries. Here are the basic steps for trimming bushes with a hand-held pruner:

  • Start by removing excess leaves and branches on the outside of the shrub or bush.

  • Next, start from the plant’s base and cut back limbs, branches, and leaves. Work your way up to the top. 

  • Make sure to cut back as far along the limb as possible. Thinning out the inside of the plant allows sunlight and air to flow through your shrub and bush freely.

  • Mindfully trim the shrub or bush, ensuring the top isn’t wider than the bottom. This way, the entire plant will receive plenty of sunlight.

  • Only cutting back 1/3 of the shrub will help the plant grow back fuller the following season.

  • Step back and take a look at the finished plant. Trim off any additional branches or leaves.

How to Trim Using a Hedge Trimmer

If you want to achieve a more uniform look while trimming any shrubs and bushes, you can use the same techniques you use when trimming your hedges. Remember to always take precautions when using power tools. Here’s how to attain a sophisticated trim:

  • Clean up your shrub or bush with a hand-held pruner.

  • To cut straight lines, set up a trimming guide—either use the outline of your home or set up stakes in the ground and tie taut strings around them to guide your tool. Use a level to ensure the strings are the correct height above the shrub or bush.

  • Take your hedge trimmer and slowly run it along the top and sides of the shrub, following the strings as a guide. 

  • Step back and examine the shrub a few times to ensure you’re trimming it properly. 

  • Keep the bottom wider than the top for proper sunlight distribution.

  • As stated above—only cut back ⅓ of the shrub yearly.

How to Trim Bushes by Type

When it comes to trimming bushes, the way you cut depends on the type of bush. Although you can use the same tools, the technique may vary if you are trimming flowering bushes or want to trim them into a specific shape. 

Flowering Bushes

Trimming flowering shrubs is not a one-size-fits-all trimming technique. It’s vital to research the type of bush to ensure you trim it during the right time of year. For example, the ideal time to trim spring-blooming bushes is after they flower, but you should trim summer-blooming bushes in the late winter or early spring.

Once you know it’s safe to trim, follow these steps:

  • Use sharp shears to prune dead, diseased, and damaged branches to improve the bush's health.

  • Trim back overgrown branches to control size and shape. Make the cuts just above a lateral branch to promote new growth.

  • Avoid over-trimming and only remove one-third of the stem at a time. 

Square Bushes

You can use pruning shears or hedge trimmers to cut your bush into a square shape. Here are the basic steps for trimming square bushes:

  • Use sharp shears to remove diseased or dead branches.

  • Set up stakes at each corner and use a trimming guide with strings to make cutting into a square shape easier.

  • Trim from the bottom and work your way to the top of the bush, cutting in a straight line. Remember to avoid over-pruning. 

  • Make several passes to achieve the desired shape to avoid cutting off too much.

  • Trim the top of the bush by removing overgrowth first, then cut from one side to the other in rows as evenly as possible.

  • Step back to look at the shape and repeat the steps if necessary.

Round Bushes

You can shape your bushes with shears, but the quickest way to trim round bushes is by using hedge trimmers. However, using shears can create more precise cuts, and if you aren’t familiar with using hedge trimmers, you may want to stick with shears. You can also purchase a wire circle, also known as a topiary frame, to place over the bush as a cutting guide.

Here are the general steps for trimming round bushes:

  • Remove dead, diseased, and damaged branches with shears before trimming the rest of the bush.

  • Trim any overgrowth branches, cutting at a 45-degree angle.

  • Begin trimming the shape of the bush by cutting evenly in a pattern around the base and work your way to the top of the bush. Regularly step back to check for symmetry.

  •  You may need to make several passes to obtain the desired shape and size you want for your shrub.

What to Avoid When Trimming Bushes 

Worried about accidentally cutting too much of your bush or damaging it? To maintain your bushes, follow these tips.

  • Don’t cut haphazardly: Make a trimming plan before you start cutting to avoid making too many or improperly placed cuts.

  • Don’t use dull tools: Be sure to sharpen your pruning or trimming tools before making any cuts.

  • Don’t cut too close or too far from the trunk: An improper cut could leave a large wound or too much dead branch left on your bush.

  • Don’t overcut during the growing season: You shouldn’t prune more than ⅓ of the bush’s growth during the active growing season.

Tips for Taking Care of Shrubs and Bushes

A perfectly round bush in a garden
Photo: Ivanna / Adobe Stock

When figuring out how to trim shrubs and bushes, you’ll want to be sure to prune them correctly—and at the right time of the year (although you can perform light trimming here and there throughout the year). 

Here are tips for caring for your shrubs and bushes:

  • Always cut the thickest, oldest branches first and cut all the way back to the base. This type of trimming will help with new growth the following season.

  • Try to keep your shrub’s natural shape.

  • If you live in an area with a lot of snow, always trim your bushes in a round shape so snow doesn’t pile up on top. 

  • Use loppers (pruners with long handles) to cut back thicker branches instead of hand-held pruners.

  • Always cut branches cleanly to keep the shrub or tree healthy and promote future growth.

  • Remove suckers (small branches from the plant’s base) and water sprouts (small, vertical limbs on large branches) immediately, as these take up vital nutrients your plant needs.

  • Cut non-flowering plants after new growth has come in for the season.

  • Trim shrubs with early spring flowers after they bloom.

  • Trim plants with blooming summer flowers in early spring or winter.

  • When trimming bushes in the front or side of your home, leave a 6–12 inch gap between your home and the plant. This way, branches won’t scratch your house, nor will your house get water damage from plant water runoff. 

Why it’s Important to Trim Bushes and Shrubs

Trimming your shrubs and bushes is an essential part of your garden routine. Regular trimming keeps your blooms healthy and thriving, as well as looking uniform. If you don’t tend to them, you can end up with diseased and damaged branches and no new growth the following season. Also, neglecting to trim your shrubs prevents light and fresh air from reaching your plant, so it loses nourishment. 

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

If you trim your shrubs and bushes yourself, you’ll only need to pay for tools and supplies. These tools include hand-held pruners and loppers for $30 to $50 each and hedge trimmers, which run from $125 to $500. However, if you over-trim your shrub or cause damage to your bushes, you may need to have them removed. Professional shrub and bush removal ranges from $225 to $600.

You can always save time and hassle by hiring a professional shrub and bush trimmer near you. You can expect to pay $50 to $150 per hour for this service, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your shrubs will look professionally manicured.

How Much Does It Cost to Trim Shrubs and Bushes?

You can expect to pay an average of $850 to maintain your shrubs, with a low cost of $150 if you only have a few shrubs and bushes that need tending. Most of this cost goes to labor—so if the bush is heavy, bulky, and cluttered with leaves and dead branches, you can expect your labor costs to rise for this project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you will want to confirm that the tree removal company you hire is insured before proceeding with the job. Tree removal can be dangerous work, and it's important to verify that the company carries the proper insurance to cover any onsite accidents or damage.

As you browse our pro listings, take note of the “Angi Certified” badge. Angi Certified businesses meet our standards for certification which include:

  • The owner, principal, or relevant manager passed a criminal background check

  • Required to have applicable state and local licenses

  • Maintain an average star rating of 3.0 or better on our network, if they have at least one review

  • Paying to advertise their services

  • Meeting any other eligibility criteria required by Angi

Budget over $1,500 if you need a tree removed from your yard that’s larger than 80 feet. Large tree removal is a significant project that requires a crane, and the overall price will increase if the tree is close to your house. Typically, smaller trees can cost as low as $8 per foot to remove, while larger trees (over 80 feet) can cost at least $15 per foot.

To have a fallen tree removed near your home, you can expect to pay between $100 to $500. Your local tree removal professional will most likely just need to cut and remove the tree from your property, but factors like the size of the tree and its trunk diameter impact this cost. In addition, there will be an extra cost to fill in the hole left by the tree, and while you have your tree removal specialist on-site, it might be worth it to have them inspect the other trees in your yard for potential damage. Trees that have fallen onto your home or another structure, will likely be more costly to remove

On average, removing a tree costs around $750, but you can expect to pay between $200 to $2,000. Factors that impact the overall cost include the number of trees you’re having removed, their height, the diameter of their trunks, permits needed, and the tree’s accessibility. You’ll pay more if the tree is in a hard-to-reach area or dangerous location, like close to power lines.

  1. If there are no online reviews, ask them for referrals. If a tree removal company is reputable, you won't be their first client. It's perfectly acceptable to ask for references on your initial call, and if a removal company won't provide referrals, it's time to move on.

  2. Find out what equipment they use. Some types of tree removal equipment are better than others, and a removal company might need special tools to get your particular job done. On your first conversation with a prospective removal company, make sure that you clearly express the nature of the job you want accomplished and receive assurances that the company has the proper equipment. 

  3. Consider all of the costs. Always ask for an estimate up-front. Inquire about the job itself and any potential hidden fees that you might not be aware of.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to tree services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A man prunes a tree
Dec 28, 2024
Dec 28, 2024
Trimming your bushes is one of the less costly aspects of landscaping, and it’s helpful to bundle many trimming services together to save money.
A townhouse with palm trees in its yard
Oct 23, 2024
Oct 23, 2024
How much does a palm tree cost? The answer depends on the type of tree, its size, and other factors. Find out how much a new palm tree costs.
Woman stacking firewood in autumn
Sep 10, 2024
Sep 10, 2024
Whether you need to heat your home for the winter or just enjoy lighting a fire now and then, it helps to know the price of a cord of wood in your area.
A tree stump in the garden
Oct 25, 2024
Oct 25, 2024
Tree stumps can take a long time to die and become suitable for removal. You can help out by applying Epsom salt and vinegar, a homemade option that works with patience.
Family enjoying drinks at patio
Oct 11, 2024
Oct 11, 2024
Have a beloved tree that is looking sick? Learn how to save a dying tree to restore it back to life.
A large house with trees in its front yard
Oct 30, 2024
Oct 30, 2024
The upkeep and care for your trees should sometimes be left to a professional. Learn all the reasons why so you know when to call an arborist.
Share project details to get started.