How to Cut Tall Grass and Weeds With a String Trimmer

On this page (8 sections)

1. How do you cut tall grass and weeds with a string trimmer?
2. What should you check before trimming overgrown grass?
3. What trimmer line works for tall grass?
4. How should you make each pass?
5. How do you choose a trimmer for tall grass?
6. What should you do if the trimmer bogs down or the line breaks?
7. How do you handle cuttings and finish the patch?
8. Which approach works for your patch?

To cut tall grass and weeds with a string trimmer, work in short passes from the top down instead of forcing the cutting head into a dense patch. Wear eye and leg protection, check for hidden debris, and switch to a brush cutter when stems are woody or too thick for line.

Start with the upper tips of the growth. Once that layer is down, make another pass lower on the stems, keeping the head steady and the guard between you and the debris.

How do you cut tall grass and weeds with a string trimmer?

Cut tall growth in stages, starting high and lowering the cutting height gradually. A short first pass reduces the amount of material the line has to handle at once.

Walk slowly and sweep the head in a level, controlled arc. Let the line do the cutting; pushing the head deep into a tangled clump can bog down the tool and break line.

Clear a narrow strip at the edge first, then widen the cleared area. This gives you a better view of what is under the weeds and where you can step safely.

For a large overgrown patch, work in sections and pause to remove cuttings that block your view. Stop the motor before clearing grass wrapped around the head.

What should you check before trimming overgrown grass?

Look over the area for stones, wire, sticks, toys, and other objects before starting. Tall weeds can hide hazards that the trimmer may throw or that can damage the line and head.

Mark or remove anything you find. Keep people and pets well away from the work area, and move cars and breakable items out of the path of flying debris.

Wear safety glasses or a face shield, long trousers, sturdy footwear, and hearing protection suited to your tool. Keep the guard installed and use the tool only as its manual directs.

Don't trim on steep, slippery ground or near traffic if you can't keep stable footing and control of the tool. If you find wire, fencing, or debris tangled in the growth, stop and remove it safely before continuing.

Should you use a brush cutter for thick weeds?

Use a brush cutter when weeds have tough, woody stems that line struggles to cut. A blade can handle some heavier growth, but only when it is approved for your tool and used with the correct guard and support.

The Husqvarna 122RJ Gas Brush Cutter with Trimmer Head comes with a string trimmer head and grass blade. Husqvarna describes it for high grass and brushwood, and it includes a harness.

Read its manual before fitting or using the blade. Keep a wide clearance from people, animals, and property, and don't use a blade on a tool that isn't designed for it.

If the patch is tangled with vines, wire, or hidden objects, clear and inspect it before cutting. For heavier growth options, see our guide to weed wackers for heavy brush.

What trimmer line works for tall grass?

Use the line type and diameter your trimmer manual allows. Thicker line can suit some demanding jobs, but it won't make a light-duty head or motor suitable for every kind of brush.

Check for the line size printed in the manual or on the tool. Don't fit a larger diameter just because the weeds look tough; an incorrect line can affect cutting and strain the tool.

The Greenworks 60V 16-Inch Trimmer has a 16-inch cutting path and a Load N’ Go head with 0.095-inch dual line. Greenworks describes its brushless motor as suited to thicker grass and demanding yard work.

Use short passes even with a wider cutting path. A larger swath doesn't mean you should sweep through an entire dense patch at once.

For line diameter guidance, read what size trimmer line you should use. The right size depends on the tool's instructions as well as the growth you plan to cut.

How should you make each pass?

Keep the cutting head parallel to the ground for broad clearing, and make gradual, controlled sweeps. Avoid swinging the tool hard or letting the line strike soil, fences, trees, or hard edges.

For tall growth, trim the top section first. If the clippings still block your view or make the patch difficult to manage, stop and move them before lowering the next section.

Hold the tool with both hands and keep the cutting head below waist height. Take small steps on level ground, and stop if the head starts to slow or the line stops cutting cleanly.

Don't use the trimmer to cut overhead growth. Keep clear of the rotating head when it is running, and switch off the tool before adjusting it or clearing a jam.

How do you choose a trimmer for tall grass?

Choose a trimmer that matches the patch size, growth, and time you can spend cutting in stages. A wider cutting path can cover more area per sweep, while suitable line and a motor designed for thicker grass help with tougher lawn growth.

The DeWalt 60V 17-Inch Attachment-Capable Trimmer Kit has a brushless motor, variable trigger, and high/low speed control. Its cutting swath adjusts between 15 and 17 inches, and it supports 0.080-inch dual line or DeWalt 0.095-inch line.

Use the line size approved for the tool and adjust the swath only as its instructions allow. A trimmer still needs gradual passes through tall growth.

Battery tools can suit a yard where you want to avoid mixing fuel, while a gas brush cutter may be more appropriate for heavier brush. Our string trimmer buying guide explains how power, weight, and line affect the choice.

What should you do if the trimmer bogs down or the line breaks?

Stop and check the tool if it slows, clogs, or repeatedly breaks line. Turn it off before inspecting the head, and follow the manual for safe clearing and reloading.

You may be trying to cut too much at once, striking a hard edge, or using line that doesn't suit the head. Remove wrapped grass and check for damage before restarting.

If line keeps breaking, use our guide to why weedeater string keeps breaking to check common causes. Don't pull debris from a running head or bypass a guard.

How do you handle cuttings and finish the patch?

Let the cuttings settle, then move them away from paths and areas where they can hide hazards. Keep the trimmer off while raking, picking up stems, or checking the ground again.

Look over the cleared patch for missed clumps and newly visible objects. Make another high pass before trimming closer to the ground if tall stems remain.

After the job, switch off the tool and clean it according to its manual. Store it where the cutting head cannot contact people or objects; our guide to storing a weed eater in the garage covers storage basics.

Which approach works for your patch?

For tall grass and soft weeds, use a suitable string trimmer and cut down in short stages. Choose a tool with line and a cutting head approved for the job, and keep the ground in view as you work.

For thick, woody weeds, consider a brush cutter designed for a blade, with the right guard and support. Stop if the patch hides wire, debris, or anything you can't clear safely.

Choose the Greenworks for its 16-inch path and 0.095-inch dual line, or the DeWalt if an adjustable swath and variable speed suit your trimming. For woody growth, consider the Husqvarna brush cutter and follow its manual closely.

Frequently asked questions

Can a string trimmer cut very tall grass?

Yes, a string trimmer can cut tall grass if you take short passes and avoid forcing the head into a thick mat. Cut the upper growth first, then lower it in another pass.

For woody stalks or dense brush, use a brush cutter suited to that growth and follow its manual.

Should I cut tall weeds wet or dry?

Dry weeds are usually easier to see and handle because wet stems can cling together and make footing slippery. Wait until the area is dry if conditions are safe, and avoid trimming in rain or near wet electrical equipment.

Follow the tool maker's instructions for weather and use.

What direction should I move a string trimmer?

Move the trimmer in a controlled arc that follows the cutting head's rotation and directs debris away from you. Check the manual because head rotation can vary.

Keep the guard in place, hold the tool with both hands, and avoid cutting toward people, windows, cars, or pets.

When do tall weeds need a brush cutter?

Use a brush cutter when weeds have thick, woody stems that trimmer line cannot cut cleanly in short passes. Match the blade to the tool and vegetation, and use the required guard and harness.

If the growth is tangled or hides hazards, clear it by hand only when safe.