Allowed to grow to its full potential, beech forms a large majestic tree for spacious gardens. It also makes a fine hedge with bright green leaves that turn burnt orange in autumn. Although deciduous, it usually holds onto the dead leaves when grown as a hedge, so still offers privacy and shelter during winter.
When should a Beech hedge be set?
We are often asked this question – from a horticultural point of view the very best time to plant almost all Beech hedge plants (especially bare roots and rootballs) is in late Autumn or early Winter.
How high does a Beech hedge grow?
An established Beech hedge has an average growth rate of around 30-60cm per year but reaches a maximum of 5m plus once mature.
How long does a Beech hedge last?
Beech hedging is a resilient and robust hedging type that can easily live for a hundred years without too much care or maintenance.
Does Beech make a good hedge? – Related Questions
Is a beech hedge good for privacy?
Beech hedging (Fagus sylvatica) is a beautiful year-round hedge that provides a fantastic alternative to evergreen hedging. Typically, beech hedging should grow by around 30cm per year, making it a perfect privacy hedge for any garden.
How often should you cut a beech hedge?
If left unpruned, hedges start to look tatty and lose their desired shape. Beech and hornbeam put on two flushes of growth in the year – one main flush in spring and a second, smaller spurt in late summer. Ideally they should be cut back after each flush to keep them tidy.
How do you rejuvenate a beech hedge?
Take the branches on one side back to within 30cms (12″) of the main trunks in the middle of the hedge (and very lightly trim the branches on the other side). Just do one side in one winter as you will cut out a large number of dormant growth buds, and these need to regenerate the following spring and summer.
How do you know when a beech tree is dying?
It’s characterized by dark-green “bands” that appear between the veins of the trees’ leaves and provide the first hint that the tree is diseased. In later stages, leaves become uniformly darker, shrunken, crinkly and leathery. Affected limbs stop forming buds and, over time, the tree dies.
What is the average life span of a beech tree?
Age. Beech may live for 350 years (if managed as a pollard), although 250 may be more typical on many sites. On upland sites and as pollards beech may be 400 years old. Beech are ancient from 225 years onwards, although many have ancient characteristics from around 175 years.
How long does it take for a beech hedge to mature?
How tall & fast will a Beech Hedge grow? A beech hedge will typically grow from 1 foot to 18 inches in a year. The hedge can grow up to up to 10m in height.
How far apart do you plant beech hedge?
Beech is best planted at 3 plants per metre, one every 33cms, in a single row to allow sufficient room for the roots to establish, but close enough for a tightly knit hedge to grow quickly.
When should you not cut a beech hedge?
To keep them from looking scrappy you should do one major cut back a year at the end of summer and a minor trim to keep them near and tidy in February. It is important not to cut your hedges too early – wait until the late summer. This will allow your beech to keep its recent flush of new leaves over the winter.
How many plants do you need for a beech hedge?
Planting a Beech hedge
For bare roots, 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 plants in a double staggered row makes a dense hedge quicker. Smaller plants are generally planted at higher density than tall plants.
Do beech trees have invasive roots?
Despite their prolific nut production, many beech trees reproduce from root sprouts (suckers). The root system of a beech is very shallow (with the exception of a large taproot). Lying close to the surface, these roots are susceptible to injury, which stimulates the growth of suckers.
Do beech trees need a lot of water?
This plant has average water needs. Make sure it gets about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall and/or irrigation. Do not allow water to puddle around the tree, as this can cause root rot. Fully mature American beech trees will tolerate short dry spells, but this is not a tree well suited for a long drought.
Do you need to water a beech hedge?
If you plant beech hedging, consider intermixing some red and green leafed plants. Copper beech also injects colour into a hedge. Intersperse some randomly rather than planting to a pattern –just in case you have some failures. In dry weather it is important to water young hedges at least once a week.
What kills beech hedge?
Frost damage
The new tender Spring growths of Beech hedges can be severely damaged by late Spring frosts that occur after the leaves have emerged. As Beech is quite late to come into leaf this may not be a common occurrence and a frost of this nature is likely to damage other susceptible trees and shrubs as well.
How do I make my beech hedge bushy?
Regularly pruning and trimming beech hedges encourages more branches and leaves to grow. This translates to a fuller hedge with fewer gaps or bald spots. Likewise, pruning at the correct time of year allows beech hedge plants to retain their foliage throughout the winter.