Shrub & Hedge Trimming and Mulching in Westchester County

Most formal hedges like privet, boxwood and yew look best with a first trim in late spring after the first flush of growth, then one or two more through summer. A final light trim by late summer gives new growth time to harden before winter. Flowering hedges follow their bloom time instead. We set a trimming schedule based on what you have.

Many can be saved. Shrubs like yew, privet, forsythia and lilac often respond well to rejuvenation pruning, where we remove some of the oldest stems each year over two or three seasons. Some plants, and shrubs that are badly diseased or growing in the wrong spot, are better replaced. We look at each one and tell you honestly which is which.

Usually a layer of about two to three inches is enough to hold moisture and keep weeds down. Beds that already have a thick layer often need only a light top-up, since mulch builds up year after year. Too much mulch can suffocate roots, and it should never be piled against stems or tree trunks. We check the existing depth before adding more.

The most common reason is pruning at the wrong time. Shrubs like lilac, forsythia and many hydrangeas set next year's flower buds in summer or fall, and trimming them later removes those buds. Increasing shade from growing trees, deer browsing and heavy shearing can also reduce flowering. We prune with each plant's bloom cycle in mind.

Yes. We remove dead, overgrown or unwanted shrubs, including the root ball, and can regrade and replant the bed afterward. For larger trees, we offer tree removal and stump grinding. Taking out old foundation plantings is often the first step in a bed redesign, and we can plan the replacement planting at the same time.