Hedge Trimming in Cape Town: What It Costs and How Often to Cut
Hedge trimming in Cape Town starts at R650 for a standard suburban run under 2m, and rises with height, length and how far the hedge has been let go. Two cuts a year keeps most Cape hedges dense; one cut a year produces a hedge that is green on the outside and bare inside. All arisings are chipped or removed on the day.
What it costs
| Hedge | Typical work | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2m, under 20m long | Standard two-sided cut and top, arisings removed | R650 |
| 2–3m, 20–50m long | Platform or pole work, two-sided cut and top | R1,200 |
| Over 3m, or long boundary runs | Access equipment, staged over the run | R2,200 |
| Overgrown, not cut in 2+ years | Hard reduction back to a workable line, then a maintenance cycle | Quoted on site |
How often, and when
| Hedge type | Cuts per year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eugenia / myrtle | 2–3 | The Cape default. Responds well and stays dense with regular cutting. |
| Privet | 2 | Vigorous. Skipping a year is what produces a hollow hedge. |
| Viburnum | 1–2 | Slower. Cut after flowering rather than before. |
| Conifer (cypress, thuja) | 1–2 | Never cut back into bare wood — most conifers cannot reshoot from it and the gap is permanent. |
| Rosemary / lavender edging | 1–2 | Light trim only; hard cutting into old wood kills the plant. |
When is the wrong time to cut?
During nesting, and in the middle of a Cape summer heatwave. Cutting a hedge back hard in peak heat exposes inner foliage that has never seen direct sun and scorches it. Late winter into early spring is the safe window for a hard reduction.
Can an overgrown hedge be brought back?
Broadleaf hedges, yes — eugenia, privet and viburnum reshoot from old wood, so a hard reduction followed by two seasons of regular cutting restores the line. Conifers, no. A conifer cut back past its green growth stays brown there permanently, which is why an overgrown conifer hedge is usually a replacement rather than a repair.