If the vines are large enough, the first time you cut the area you may wish to put a brush blade on your trimmer. So you can take out everything you don't want including the large vines

to krnuttle: I'm not asking about using a string timmer. I'm asking about an electric hedge trimmer like this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd/BLACK-DECKER-3-2-Amp-17-in-Corded-Electric-Hedge-Trimmer/3606366

The problem with the hedge trimmer it is designed to stand near the hedge and trim the bush. To cut things to ground level means you have to get down to ground level to use it. As I understand what you want to do, to use a hedge trimmer, would mean that you would basically crawl through the vines cutting them off.

Using a trimmer you can stand out side of the vines, (poision ivy, snakes, spiders, and other insects) and quickly cut every thing back and then maintain it with a rotary lawn mower.

The vines pose no problem , the sap however as indicated , can foul the blades if not cleaned after usage !

I don't want to completely take out the vines. I just want to trim the excess, piling up growth...not thick stems. Just the soft stuff.

I guess you won't need to borrow one of my Chainsaws then ..Eh !