Mark Allison wrote in message ...
Hi gardeners!

I want to make a hedge to shelter my veggie patch from the wind. I am
thinking of using Hornbeam and growing it to about 6ft high. Does this
sound sensible? What other alternatives should I look at.


Beech is prettier most of the year, but less tough when establishing. Both
retain their leaves in winter. Plum family
is probably slightly faster- you can have a culinary type plum
of various sorts and that way you get a crop off the hedge, too.
You could also have fan or cordon type currants or gooseberries
which will be less effective at sheltering your veggies, but would
give them some cover and would also give you fruit.

Finally, where's the cheapest place to obtain hornbeam? Is it worth looking
at cuttings? How long would they take to get to 6ft from cuttings?


Forestry suppliers will sell you bare-root hornbeam at less than
a quid each in the autumn. I wouldn't bother with cuttings. I'd guess 3-4
years to get to 6ft, but that's 6ft saplings- a 6ft filled-out hedge is
probably another couple of years.

--
Anton