When and how often should you trim cherry laurel hedges? Our guide will show you what to consider when it comes to pruning cherry laurel.
27.10.2023
Cherry laurel is best trimmed with manual trimming shears. An electric hedge trimmer damages the large leaves and creates brown cut edges that mar the appearance of the hedge.
The periods when it is permitted to trim a cherry laurel are regulated by law. Severe pruning and rejuvenation cuts are permitted between October and the end of February. From March to the end of September, only light maintenance and shaping cuts are permitted – provided that no birds are nesting in the hedge.
Cherry laurel can be pruned radically and cut back right to the trunk – i.e. to rejuvenate all shoots. Leave about 50 centimetres intact during a thorough rejuvenation cut so that the hedge can sprout again. Remove dead wood directly at the base.
Fast-growing varieties include novita, rotundifolia and angustifolia, each with annual growth of up to 50 centimetres. The caucasica variety grows even faster under optimal conditions, increasing by up to 70 centimetres in height per year.
From a botanical perspective, there are three ideal times a year to trim this type of hedge. You can cut cherry laurel several times as needed, but in most cases it is sufficient to choose one time to do so, as you do not need to cut this hedge often.
The ideal time to radically prune cherry laurel is from late winter until the end of February. At this time, the plants are about to sprout and have little sap left in the branches, making it a great time even for more extreme pruning. On the other hand, you should not cut a laurel hedge in sub-zero temperatures or frost. A mild winter’s day with temperatures slightly above zero is perfect for thoroughly pruning back plants that have grown too large or developed bare patches. However, if you’re happy with its size and growth, you don't really have to cut your cherry laurel hedge in late winter.
If necessary, you can give your hedge a light shaping trim at the end of June. The first growth phase usually ends around Midsummer’s Day on 24 June; this is the perfect time to give your laurel a gentle trim and keep it in shape. Pruning your cherry laurel hedges on a dry, overcast day which is not too hot is best, as the plants are better able to recover from pruning under these conditions.
If you have chosen a fast-growing variety, you can trim your hedge again in autumn to maintain its shape throughout the winter. However, if you do so your hedge may not flower the following year. When is the best time to prune cherry laurel in autumn? When cutting cherry laurel in autumn, it is especially important to do so in dry weather, because if conditions are too moist the plants are susceptible to fungal infestations.
When can you trim cherry laurel hedge?
Section 39(5) of the Federal Nature Conservation Act sets out the times of year when trimming hedges is permitted. Severe pruning is permitted from 1 October to the end of February. Dramatic cherry laurel pruning is prohibited during the warm season from 1 March to the end of September. Only light pruning of new shoots is permitted during this period, and only if no birds are nesting in the hedge.
Both motorised and manual hedge trimming tools are generally suitable for trimming cherry laurel. For an optimal cut, however, it is best to use a manual hedge trimming shears such as the STIHL PH 10.
If you have a lot of hedging to trim, you can also use an electric hedge trimmer. Bear in mind, though that the result will reflect the shorter working time compared to trimming with manual shears. If you trim your cherry laurel with an electric hedge trimmer, you will inevitably damage some of the large leaves. These cutting lines then dry out and mar the appearance of the hedge by causing brown patches to develop. However, the plants will quickly reshoot, meaning that the brown areas will soon be covered up and your hedge will look much better shortly after trimming.
The same applies if you use a chainsaw to cut your hedge. In the case of cherry laurel in particular, it takes comparatively long for new leaves to replace the damaged leaves. We therefore advise against using a chainsaw to trim the plant.
Beware of poisonous stems
Cherry laurel is poisonous and can cause skin irritation. You should therefore always wear gloves to touch the cut stems of cherry laurel. Make sure you wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves when trimming cherry laurel and caring for this hedge.
The speed at which this hedge grows depends on the variety. While the etna variety grows 10 to 30 centimetres a year, species such as Portuguese laurel grow by up to 40 centimetres annually. Regular trimming is therefore important to ensure that the hedge retains its shape. You can also radically prune cherry laurel in late winter if necessary.
Cherry laurel is easy to prune back radically. You can cut the woody evergreen back hard in late winter, up to the end of February. Unlike conifers, this type of hedge will reshoot if you cut into the woody stems.
The best way to tackle this job is to use manual hedge shears such as the STIHL PH 10, or secateurs for individual plants or very short and low hedges. First remove any dead stems. Then trim the laurel hedge to the desired height and width. Make sure that you trim the hedge into an A-shape – a little narrower at the top and about ten centimetres wider at the bottom. This will ensure that the lower branches also receive sufficient sunlight. Cut each stem a few millimetres above one leaf and take care not to damage the leaves when trimming to the desired length.
If bare spots develop on completely unshaped or ageing hedges, it is best to perform a rejuvenating cut in late winter. To do this, cut the stems to a height of around 50 centimetres. The cherry laurel will sprout out again in the season ahead. For optimal growth, trim the outer bottom shoots a few centimetres shorter than the middle ones. If you discover dead shoots at the bottom of the plant, remove these directly at the base.
Shaping should be done at the end of June, after the first growth phase. Before you start, please make sure that no birds are nesting in the plant. For best results, you should use hand-held shears to avoid damaging the large leaves. If necessary, stretch a cord out to guide the shape. For example, you could stake out bamboo canes along the hedge and stretch a cord along them at the intended height. This will help you keep your bearings as you work.
When trimming your cherry laurel hedge, be sure to only trim the new growth, as more extreme pruning is prohibited between March and September. Remove approximately two-thirds of the stem’s new growth. If you want to keep a fast-growing laurel hedge in shape over the winter, it is advisable to trim it again in September. Be aware that buds will already have set by this point and so you may remove these as you cut; so note that your hedge may not flower the following year if you shape it in autumn.
You should trim this hedge immediately after planting to encourage it to become dense. The cut may seem like a drastic measure, but it stimulates growth. You should cut the stems back by half after planting. This will ensure that the plant grows densely and will become a useful privacy screen later on. Older cherry laurels can be cut back hard in winter. These plants will then be revitalised for the following season and will grow more densely, although they will initially be smaller.
Sweep up cherry laurel cuttings after you finish work and dispose of them properly. You can easily dispose of small quantities of clippings in your garden waste bin. Larger quantities are best taken to a garden waste disposal facility. If you want make use of the cherry laurel cuttings, you can shred them so that the leaves rot quickly, then compost them properly to make your own fertiliser.
As well as trimming, cherry laurel needs proper care to grow healthily. That’s why you should fertilise your hedge regularly. Work bonemeal and compost into the soil in mid-March and if necessary, add sulphate of potash in August to protect cherry laurel from frost.
Unlike most other hedge plants, this otherwise very undemanding ornamental tree requires additional watering during dry periods in particular, though it does not tolerate waterlogging.
Cherry laurel needs a continuous supply of water, as its large leaves transpire moisture all year round. You can quickly tell if this hedge isn't getting enough water because its leaves first turn brown and then fall off. But yellow leaves are not always a sign that the plant is getting too little water; discolouration of the leaves can also be an indication that the planting site is too sunny or the plant is suffering from a hedge disease.
