On 10 Oct, 20:53, robert wrote:
In message , Janet Baraclough
writes





The message
from NogbadtheCool contains these words:

Hi all
Part of my fence around the garden is a row of ancient hawthorn, very
tall now and lovely with berries, but at the base they're old and
gappy. Anyone can stroll through.
Does anyone know if I chop them back to about head height will they re-
grow from the ground and make a nice impenetrable tangle, or will they
grow from head height again?
If the latter, any suggestions about filling in the gaps?

*No need to fill in *You can lay the existing plants (look up laying a
hedge on the net) and create a secure barrier no human can walk through,
an excellent windbreak, *wildlife habitat and a very attractive dense
hedge. For nothing.
* Its not hard to do; and while there are specialist tools , you can
improvise perfectly well enough with loppers and a saw.

* Your library will have books with pictures and instructions; or you
could probably find a local course run by conservation charities etc.

* Janet

I agree that laying is an excellent (but not easy) solution in many
cases, however, the OP mentions that the hawthorns are ancient which may
present some problems. *While hawthorn is a good candidate for laying
and is usually good at recovering and producing re-growth this could be
a bit hit and miss if the trees are very old, particularly if they are
very thick at the base. *I wonder if the trees produce new growth if
pruned back hard. Perhaps an initial experiment in the Spring with one
or two trees would provide an indication. *If the OP wants to try it the
BTCV have some useful online guidance, starting at:http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handboo...ent/chapter/72

If the trees are very thick at the base but are still capable of
producing new growth, coppicing may be the answer but a temporary fence
may be necessary.

The alternative would be gapping up with hawthorn whips or something
else suitable.
--
Robert- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I seem to remember from a long time ago when I was still a sprog
seeing hawthorn notched with an axe (That is a wedge cut out low down)
which cut off the sap flow in a section of trunk and new growth
started out from the lowerLevel of the wound.
I give no garantee for this technique, but you could try a few this
winter and see what happens.
David Hill