Hedge and Shrub Trimming in Chicago, IL
Shaped, neat hedges and shrubs that stay clear of the walkway, the gate and the neighbor's side of the fence.
Trimming that keeps Chicago hedges healthy as well as tidy
Hedges do a lot of work on a narrow city lot. They mark the property line, screen the front porch from the street and soften a chain-link fence. In Chicago yards, common hedge and foundation plants include yews, boxwood, arborvitae and privet, and each one is trimmed differently. A hedge that is cut well thickens and stays full. One that is cut badly can end up with bare brown patches that do not grow back.
Shape matters more than people expect. A hedge should be a little wider at the base than at the top so sunlight reaches the lower branches. A flat top and straight sides look clean from the sidewalk and keep the plant healthy. Cutting a hedge into bare old wood, especially arborvitae and junipers, can leave permanent holes.
Shrubs are different from hedges, and timing is part of the job. Spring-blooming shrubs such as lilacs should be trimmed right after flowering, while a formal evergreen hedge gets its main trim in late spring or early summer. We ask what you have before we cut, so the visit improves the plants instead of costing you next year's blooms.
Signs your hedges and shrubs need trimming
- Branches are pushing into the sidewalk, the gate or the walkway to the door.
- The hedge has lost its shape and looks lopsided or shaggy.
- Shrubs are covering windows or crowding the foundation.
- New growth is long and leggy, sticking out of the clean line.
- The top of the hedge is wider than the base and the lower branches are thinning.
- The hedge between you and a neighbor has grown over the fence.
- A hedge has not been trimmed in a season or two and is hard to manage.
How a hedge and shrub trim is done
Identify the plants
We look at what you have and how it should be cut, and ask whether any shrubs bloom on old wood.
Shape the hedge
The sides are cut straight and slightly narrower at the top, and the top is leveled so it looks even from the street.
Trim shrubs by hand where needed
Round and informal shrubs are shaped with hand tools so they keep their natural form.
Clear the clippings
Clippings are raked and bagged or cleared, and the walk and lawn are blown clean.
What affects the cost of hedge and shrub trimming
Hedge work is quoted by the amount of plant to be trimmed and how hard it is to reach.
Length and height
A long, tall hedge takes much longer than a short row. Hedges above a comfortable reach may need a ladder.
Plant type and condition
Dense, overgrown hedges take longer to bring back into shape than ones trimmed every year.
Number of shrubs
Many individual shrubs, each hand-shaped, cost more than one long straight hedge.
Cleanup
Bagging or removing the clippings adds time, particularly for large trimmings.
Why choose Lopez Lawn Care Service for hedge trimming
We already work the edges of the yard when we mow and trim, so hedge and shrub work fits naturally into the same visit. One crew, one quote and one clean finish from the lawn to the hedge line.
Tell us how many hedges and shrubs you have, and what they are if you know. We will quote the trimming. There is no charge for the quote.
Hedge trimming near you
We trim hedges and shrubs in Chicago and in the nearby suburbs we serve. Hedges along shared fence lines in dense South Side blocks need extra care so trimming stays on your side of the property.
Hedge & Shrub Trimming questions answered
When should I trim my hedges in Chicago?
Most evergreen hedges take their main trim in late spring to early summer, once the first flush of growth has slowed. A light touch-up can follow later in summer. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall.
Can you trim shrubs that flower?
Yes, but timing matters. Spring-blooming shrubs such as lilac and forsythia should be trimmed right after they flower so you do not cut off next year's buds. Tell us what you have.
How far back can a hedge be cut?
It depends on the plant. Many evergreens such as arborvitae and juniper do not regrow from bare old wood, so we avoid cutting past the green growth on those.
Do you trim hedges that grow along a shared fence?
Yes, from your side of the property line. We trim to the fence line and do not enter a neighbor's yard without their permission.
Do you remove hedges or shrubs entirely?
Our focus is trimming and upkeep. If you want a hedge pulled out, ask us and we will tell you plainly whether we take it on.
Ready for hedge & shrub trimming? Request A Free Quote
Tell us about your yard and we will get back to you with next steps.
(312) 550-4174