It is helpful to take most of the leaves and small branches, but one will still have to invest some time picking up those who cannot be collected with it. However, with a little wind, one will have to struggle trying to put this thing back and it is a bit of a mess. If your garden is protected from wind, then it will be useful, but if not, it is easier to pick up the pieces later, because it is just too messy to take care of both things: cutting off the hedge and placing this thing back every time.