An electric hedge trimmer is the best tool for pruning your conifer hedge. You could use a pruning saw to trim thicker branches.

Prune your conifer in such a way that you always leave it with green branches. That’s because the old wood no longer produces shoots. You should not trim more than about 10cm (4 inches) off young shoots. The conifer hedge should be wider at the bottom so that sunlight can reach the largest possible surface area. This will enable the conifer hedge to grow optimally. If you have a freestanding conifer you should regularly cut back a few thicker branches deeper in the hedge. By pruning just above a branch that is pointing inwards, you ensure that the branches grow inwards, which stops the conifer from sagging.