An established Beech hedge has an average growth rate of around 30-60cm per year but reaches a maximum of 5m plus once mature. This is an average-fast rate of growth compared to other plants.
Does beech make a good hedge?
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.
Is a beech hedge the same as a tree?
Is it a specific variety for hedging, or is it the same as a tree?” That’s a good question. Trees and Beech Hedging are all the one plant, it is just basically the way you trim them. Beech Tree, you allow it to grow up and have a main stem, and a main trunk, and grow into a big tree.
How tall will a beech hedge grow?
The average height for a beech hedge is between 90cm and 2.4m but some people grow theirs to five metres or more. Once your hedge has reached the height you want, we recommend you schedule an annual trim for around August time to keep it looking neat and well-managed.
How quickly do beech hedges grow? – Related Questions
What is the best time of year to plant a beech hedge?
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.
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.
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 wide should a beech hedge be?
Beech hedging spacing
Cell grown should be planted at 4 per metre in a single row or 6 per metre in a staggered row but particularly with this species you could consider planting more densely.
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.
How far apart should you plant beech hedging?
To grow beech as a hedge, space plants from 25-45cm apart, depending on plant size and how quickly you want to achieve a dense hedge. For quick results, plant in a double staggered row with 30cm between the two rows. Plant into well-cultivated weed-free ground, at the same depth as the plant was growing previously.
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 do you maintain a beech hedge?
Ideally they should be cut back after each flush to keep them tidy. After the summer growth spurt, deciduous hedges, like beech and hornbeam, need to be pruned before the leaves change colour and fall. September is the best month to do it.
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.
Do beech hedges have deep roots?
Beech is very shallow rooted in the first couple of years after planting. In year 1 in particular, if there is a dry week PLEASE WATER YOUR HEDGE.
Should I plant a beech tree?
If you have a large property that needs some shade, consider growing beech trees. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a stately tree that makes a big impression when grown singly on an open site or when used to line driveways on large estates. Don’t try growing beech trees in an urban setting though.
How far should a beech tree be from a house?
| Species | Normal Mature Height (M) | Safe Distance (M) |
|---|
| Ash | 23 | 21 |
| Beech | 20 | 15 |
| Birch | 14 | 10 |
| Cypress | 25 | 20 |
What is special about beech trees?
The formal and stately American beech holds a special place in many hearts. The wide-spreading canopy provides great shade in the summer and beautiful bronze coloring in the fall. It is a versatile tree, often used in parks, golf courses, acreages, and the forestry industry.
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.
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.