Having bushes and shrubbery is a visually appealing way to enhance a landscape. When the bushes begin to grow and take over the yard, it is time to do some maintenance with hedge trimmers. These motorized or manual devices can turn an overgrown jungle back into a pleasantly landscaped yard with just a little bit of work. Using an electric or gas powered hedge trimmer will make the work go by quickly.

Safety
Before using the hedge trimmer, be sure to clean the area of anything that will get caught in it, such as holiday lights left in the bushes or trash accumulated in the hedges. Send all children and pets inside or elsewhere to prevent injury to curious onlookers. Don work gloves for hand protection and safety glasses or goggles for eye protection. Use insect repellent and/or sunscreen if necessary. Unless it is extremely hot outside, consider wearing a long-sleeved shirt. This will protect the arms from being scratched by twigs, branches and other debris.

Make a Plan
Determine which hedges or bushes need trimming. With most shrubbery, the farther down they are cut, they less leaves they will have toward the center. Decide how far down they will be cut, keeping in mind that they will grow back. Some types will take longer than others. It will also depend on which season it is and how much rain or watering the bushes have. Determine what shape they should be. Ornamental shrubs may be trimmed back into round or square shapes. Most bushes look fine in their natural shape. Consult a gardening book or the local nursery for ideas.

Machinery
Inspect the hedge trimmer before using. Make sure the equipment is in decent shape and that all parts are working and not rusted. If it is a gas-powered model, consult the owner's manual for the proper fuel ratio. Use fresh gasoline mixed with oil. Stale gas will create smoke and odor. For electric hedge trimmers, inspect the power cord. Be sure there are no nicks, cracks or breaks in it. Use an extension cord if necessary. If it is a long way from the power source to the hedge area, loop the cord into a very loose knot before connecting the two plugs together to prevent a hard tug pulling them apart.

Trimming
Start with the least noticeable shrubbery. Take away small sections at a time, being sure to make the height level. Move around the bush slowly, making each cut even with the last. Use a small sweeping motion. Pay attention to the caliper of branch thickness on larger bushes. They may be too thick for the hedge trimmer. Step back from the bush occasionally to check progress. When it looks more like a bush and less like something from the jungle, it is finished. Move from one location to the next until all are completed. Put the machine away.

Clean-up
Keeping the work gloves on, begin moving debris into a pile. Use a rake or a leaf blower to make the job go faster. Follow the refuse disposal guidelines for the local area to decide how to dispose of the debris. It may be used for compost or set at the curb for organic pick-up. Some nurseries will collect brush and turn it into mulch.