How should the sides of a formal hedge be pruned to maintain a stable shape?

How should the sides of a formal hedge be pruned to maintain a stable shape?

• A. Flat hedge sides
• B. Sloped so it is wider at the bottom than the top
• C. Straight vertical
• D. Rounded to a dome

Answer: (B)

A stable hedge shape comes from tapering the sides so the base is wider than the top. This wider bottom acts like a footing, anchoring the plant and distributing wind pressure more evenly, which reduces the chance of the hedge tipping or deforming in gusts. It also helps light reach the lower branches, keeping the hedge dense from bottom to top. Pruning with flat vertical sides or a rounded dome tends to be more top-heavy and can lead to instability and thinning of the lower growth, so a taper that is wider at the bottom is the best approach for a stable, formal hedge.

A stable hedge shape comes from tapering the sides so the base is wider than the top. This wider bottom acts like a footing, anchoring the plant and distributing wind pressure more evenly, which reduces the chance of the hedge tipping or deforming in gusts. It also helps light reach the lower branches, keeping the hedge dense from bottom to top. Pruning with flat vertical sides or a rounded dome tends to be more top-heavy and can lead to instability and thinning of the lower growth, so a taper that is wider at the bottom is the best approach for a stable, formal hedge.