Abstract: A light weight portable hand-held apparatus for cutting and trimming vegetation, hedges, trees and the like and which is provided with a rotatable blade housing having a plurality of cutting blades, said blades being square-shaped or U-shaped in configuration and each blade having a plurality of cutting edges. A shroud designed for efficient entrainment of cuttings to a storage area and for providing protection from flying debris which may result by the cutting action of the blades. The cutting apparatus is provided with a self-contained receptacle for collecting the cut vegetation and branches, said receptacle being designed for easy emptying. The unique cutting blades used herein result in the cuttings being transformed into a fine residue which increases the collecting volume capacity of a self contained collection receptacle. The cutting apparatus is provided with a safety switch which requires both of the user's hands to be on the apparatus for safety during operation.