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leylandii hedge overtrimmed?
Hi,
moved into my house about 1 yr ago. Our neighbours have a high leylandii hedge. It was around 18 ft high but they've trimmed it to around 14ft. It was planted about 6 inches from the border fence. They employed a gardener to trim the side and top. I asked their gardener to trim the sides back to the boundary which he has done. Now the bottom 10ft or so is brown and the top 4 ft is dark green. I did not particularly like the high hedge extending into our garden but now that its almost all brown and dead looking i like it less. Will the brown parts turn green in the spring? Frome my searches on this forum it looks like it will stay brown. If teh hedge will not turn green is there anything I could plant such as ivy which might grow over the dead branches to provide some greenery next year? Thanks for any advice, Mike |
Hi Mike
Not a 'gardening gardener' but I can answer that one. We have two of the beasts and they are of a different variety. Number One I trimmed right back to the main trunk, then read on the newsgroup what you have read, that it will stay brown. Not so in our case, it has sprouted right back from the main trunk and needs trimming again. Number two is a big one, (The former only about 10 ft high) running up to about 20 - 25ft. I topped it about 12 feet and cut one side right back to the mass of branches within about 6 inches from the main stem. That has stayed brown with just a few whispers of green sprouting, but in answer to you question re Ivy, that has started to climb the brown side this year. Not reached such a height to cover the brown, but we wait and see. Another Mike -- .. "mcloone" wrote in message m... Hi, moved into my house about 1 yr ago. Our neighbours have a high leylandii hedge. It was around 18 ft high but they've trimmed it to around 14ft. It was planted about 6 inches from the border fence. They employed a gardener to trim the side and top. I asked their gardener to trim the sides back to the boundary which he has done. Now the bottom 10ft or so is brown and the top 4 ft is dark green. I did not particularly like the high hedge extending into our garden but now that its almost all brown and dead looking i like it less. Will the brown parts turn green in the spring? Frome my searches on this forum it looks like it will stay brown. If teh hedge will not turn green is there anything I could plant such as ivy which might grow over the dead branches to provide some greenery next year? Thanks for any advice, Mike |
On 24 Oct 2004 02:12:44 -0700, (mcloone)
wrote: Will the brown parts turn green in the spring? No Pam in Bristol |
In article ,
mcloone wrote: Hi, moved into my house about 1 yr ago. Our neighbours have a high leylandii hedge. It was around 18 ft high but they've trimmed it to around 14ft. It was planted about 6 inches from the border fence. They employed a gardener to trim the side and top. I asked their gardener to trim the sides back to the boundary which he has done. Now the bottom 10ft or so is brown and the top 4 ft is dark green. I did not particularly like the high hedge extending into our garden but now that its almost all brown and dead looking i like it less. Will the brown parts turn green in the spring? Frome my searches on this forum it looks like it will stay brown. If teh hedge will not turn green is there anything I could plant such as ivy which might grow over the dead branches to provide some greenery next year? For next year, you need an annual. Morning glory, runner beans, or whatever turns you on. For the longer term, ivy would be good, but it is worth checking with your neighbours. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
"mcloone" wrote in message m... Hi, moved into my house about 1 yr ago. Our neighbours have a high leylandii hedge. It was around 18 ft high but they've trimmed it to around 14ft. It was planted about 6 inches from the border fence. They employed a gardener to trim the side and top. I asked their gardener to trim the sides back to the boundary which he has done. Now the bottom 10ft or so is brown and the top 4 ft is dark green. I did not particularly like the high hedge extending into our garden but now that its almost all brown and dead looking i like it less. Will the brown parts turn green in the spring? Frome my searches on this forum it looks like it will stay brown. If teh hedge will not turn green is there anything I could plant such as ivy which might grow over the dead branches to provide some greenery next year? Thanks for any advice, Mike Despite the advice already given, it might regenerate. For a start, is your side north facing or south facing? If the latter you stand a better chance. I would suggest you don't use Ivy. I have Ivy growing through mine (by nature, not design) and while I can control what I can get at, it will grow through to your neighbours side and whether he appreciates it is a question to face. If you didn't like Leylandii, are you sure you will like Ivy? It can be just as vigorous a problem. -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
Despite the advice already given, it might regenerate. For a start, is your side north facing or south facing? Our South facing is still brown and has the Ivy steadely climbing :-)) The one regenerating, (regenerated!) is West facing :-)) |
"Mike" wrote in message ... Despite the advice already given, it might regenerate. For a start, is your side north facing or south facing? Our South facing is still brown and has the Ivy steadely climbing :-)) The one regenerating, (regenerated!) is West facing :-)) OK. I think you also said that it was the younger section that was regenerating - which is what one might expect. I'd be inclined to have a bit of patience and see how/if the older section recovers. It will certainly be slower and might be patchy for a year or two. But, going back to square one, a 'proper' gardener should have been more helpful in suggesting what the consequences of his actions might have been. -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
Ok,
the gardener seemed helpful at the start, but the owner of the hedge expressed similar concerns that the hedge was now thin. The said gardener charged 150 quid to spray cut branches with "fungicide". He said this would ensure it turns green again. I now think the gardener was just trying to make a fast buck. I have since discussed the hedge with a garden centre owner. She doubts that there will be regrowth and also said that because the tree root system will have extended into my garden i will not be able to grow anything underneath them. I've noticed that our grass did not take well underneath either. The leylandii suck all the goodness from the soil apparently. One thing suggested was a "Montana Clematis" which is quite prolific and may compete with the trees. I understand I can cut the roots on my side of the fence. If I cut the roots and place some kind of barrier to prevent the roots crossing over again and fertilize the soil on my side, should I be able to grow what I want? What might an effective root barrier be? If I do cut the roots could this encourage fungus and death in the trees? Could the trees having a viable root sytem on one side only cause them to blow over in the wind? Obviously the trees are a nuisance to me and judging by the amount of material on the internet, overgrown leylandii cause quite few neighborhood disputes throughout the country. Thanks for ant further advice, mike |
mcloone wrote:
Ok, the gardener seemed helpful at the start, but the owner of the hedge expressed similar concerns that the hedge was now thin. The said gardener charged 150 quid to spray cut branches with "fungicide". He said this would ensure it turns green again. .................. He stopped short of spraying green paint, then? :-)) I have since discussed the hedge with a garden centre owner. She doubts that there will be regrowth and also said that because the tree root system will have extended into my garden i will not be able to grow anything underneath them. I've noticed that our grass did not take well underneath either. The leylandii suck all the goodness from the soil apparently. Now don't you go believing all that the anti-leylandii crowd tell you. My experience is that grass grows well enough up to and under my hedge. Even in the drought conditions of 2003 the only patch of grass to suffer was where an apple tree had spread its roots from the other side of the leylandii hedge. Many things will grow under and through the hedge. I have trouble keeping my hedge free of intruders. -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
In article , mcloone
writes Hi, moved into my house about 1 yr ago. Our neighbours have a high leylandii hedge. You see, if you had come here and mentioned this problem *before* you had agreed to buy the house . . . . . you would never have bought it!!! See a leylandii hedge and steer well clear would have been the overwhelming advice you would have been given :((((((((((((( Unless, of course, it was yours so that you could have cut it down :))))))))))))))))))))))))) -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see |
On 25/10/04 12:58 am, in article , "ned"
wrote: snip My experience is that grass grows well enough up to and under my hedge. Even in the drought conditions of 2003 the only patch of grass to suffer was where an apple tree had spread its roots from the other side of the leylandii hedge. Many things will grow under and through the hedge. I have trouble keeping my hedge free of intruders. How high is your hedge and how old? IME, nothing grows easily under leylandii, except perhaps, ivy. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
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In article , ned wrote:
mcloone wrote: Ok, the gardener seemed helpful at the start, but the owner of the hedge expressed similar concerns that the hedge was now thin. The said gardener charged 150 quid to spray cut branches with "fungicide". He said this would ensure it turns green again. ................. He stopped short of spraying green paint, then? :-)) I suspect that it was a weak solution of bullshit. Now don't you go believing all that the anti-leylandii crowd tell you. My experience is that grass grows well enough up to and under my hedge. It isn't leylandii's roots that are the problem, it's the umbrella effect. Provided that a reasonable proportion of light and rain reaches under them, you can grow any of the underplants that can grow in fallen pine needles. And that is a lot. If virtually no rain reaches there, then it's Cyclamen coum or hederifolium and not much else. If the needles are ALWAYS dry, nothing much will grow. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
"Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/10/04 12:58 am, in article , "ned" wrote: snip My experience is that grass grows well enough up to and under my hedge. Even in the drought conditions of 2003 the only patch of grass to suffer was where an apple tree had spread its roots from the other side of the leylandii hedge. Many things will grow under and through the hedge. I have trouble keeping my hedge free of intruders. How high is your hedge and how old? IME, nothing grows easily under leylandii, except perhaps, ivy. I hope you appreciate this :-) I've just been out - in the dark - to measure it. 60ft Section A :- 8ft high. Tree spacing 2'6" to 3' apart. Base of trunks, 7" to 9", probably 18 to 19 years old 60ft Section B :- 8'6" high. Spacing 3 ft. Base of trunks 9" to 12". Probably 25 to 28 years old. I've been tending it (lovingly) for the last 11 years. In order to suppress all the normal hedge bottom weeds (nettle, woundwort, nipplewort, goosegrass, bindweed, hedge garlic, ground ivy and ivy, etc.) I am mulching with leylandii clippings and that is only moderately successful. And grass grows right up to the south facing hedge line without problem. The north facing side has a Leylandii clipping mulch path between the hedge and the boundary line (allowing access for trimming). Because I want to mow up to the hedge I have not deliberately planted anything but, Honesty grows better there than anywhere else. We have also had Michaelmas Daisy, Phlox, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Mysotis, Aubretia, Lobelia, Allysum, Potentilla, Ash and Elder saplings and Damson runners show up there of their own accord. Now. Does that sound like the kiss of death to competing vegetation? Properly managed, Leylandii is just another plant. There are some magnificently kept Leylandii hedges around. Allowed to run wild, - sure, its a weed. Like Ivy. Like Russian Vine. I do not know what all the fuss is about. :-) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , ned wrote: mcloone wrote: Ok, the gardener seemed helpful at the start, but the owner of the hedge expressed similar concerns that the hedge was now thin. The said gardener charged 150 quid to spray cut branches with "fungicide". He said this would ensure it turns green again. ................. He stopped short of spraying green paint, then? :-)) I suspect that it was a weak solution of bullshit. Now don't you go believing all that the anti-leylandii crowd tell you. My experience is that grass grows well enough up to and under my hedge. It isn't leylandii's roots that are the problem, it's the umbrella effect. Provided that a reasonable proportion of light and rain reaches under them, you can grow any of the underplants that can grow in fallen pine needles. And that is a lot. Hear, hear. Mr Maclaren, sir. :-)) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
On 25/10/04 20:23, in article , "ned"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... snip How high is your hedge and how old? IME, nothing grows easily under leylandii, except perhaps, ivy. I hope you appreciate this :-) I do, I do! I've just been out - in the dark - to measure it. 60ft Section A :- 8ft high. Tree spacing 2'6" to 3' apart. Base of trunks, 7" to 9", probably 18 to 19 years old 60ft Section B :- 8'6" high. Spacing 3 ft. Base of trunks 9" to 12". Probably 25 to 28 years old. I've been tending it (lovingly) for the last 11 years. In order to suppress all the normal hedge bottom weeds (nettle, woundwort, nipplewort, goosegrass, bindweed, hedge garlic, ground ivy and ivy, etc.) I am mulching with leylandii clippings and that is only moderately successful. And grass grows right up to the south facing hedge line without problem. The north facing side has a Leylandii clipping mulch path between the hedge and the boundary line (allowing access for trimming). Because I want to mow up to the hedge I have not deliberately planted anything but, Honesty grows better there than anywhere else. We have also had Michaelmas Daisy, Phlox, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Mysotis, Aubretia, Lobelia, Allysum, Potentilla, Ash and Elder saplings and Damson runners show up there of their own accord. Now. Does that sound like the kiss of death to competing vegetation? No, it doesn't but it does sound unusual to say the least. Both the maintained height and the south facing part of it probably says a good deal about what grows there but I have to say that generally speaking, most peoples' experience is not yours! Properly managed, Leylandii is just another plant. There are some magnificently kept Leylandii hedges around. Allowed to run wild, - sure, its a weed. Like Ivy. Like Russian Vine. I do not know what all the fuss is about. :-) The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly and the one the OP is talking about is a case in point. It was allowed to get much too tall and still is, from their point of view, I should think. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? And IMO, while you look after your hedge well, if someone wants a hedge to maintain at 8' then planting beech will achieve the same results, more attractively in what is my subjective opinion admittedly, and will put something back into the soil each year. Thank you for the night time act of daring! ;-) -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
"Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/10/04 20:23, in article , "ned" wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... snip How high is your hedge and how old? IME, nothing grows easily under leylandii, except perhaps, ivy. I hope you appreciate this :-) I do, I do! I've just been out - in the dark - to measure it. 60ft Section A :- 8ft high. Tree spacing 2'6" to 3' apart. Base of trunks, 7" to 9", probably 18 to 19 years old 60ft Section B :- 8'6" high. Spacing 3 ft. Base of trunks 9" to 12". Probably 25 to 28 years old. I've been tending it (lovingly) for the last 11 years. In order to suppress all the normal hedge bottom weeds (nettle, woundwort, nipplewort, goosegrass, bindweed, hedge garlic, ground ivy and ivy, etc.) I am mulching with leylandii clippings and that is only moderately successful. And grass grows right up to the south facing hedge line without problem. The north facing side has a Leylandii clipping mulch path between the hedge and the boundary line (allowing access for trimming). Because I want to mow up to the hedge I have not deliberately planted anything but, Honesty grows better there than anywhere else. We have also had Michaelmas Daisy, Phlox, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Mysotis, Aubretia, Lobelia, Allysum, Potentilla, Ash and Elder saplings and Damson runners show up there of their own accord. Now. Does that sound like the kiss of death to competing vegetation? No, it doesn't but it does sound unusual to say the least. I have a few roses which thrive within a few feet, on the West side of a 9 ft, 20 year Leylandii hedge. ( There are other shrubs there as well, also thriving) Franz |
On 26/10/04 14:16, in article , "Franz
Heymann" wrote: snip I have a few roses which thrive within a few feet, on the West side of a 9 ft, 20 year Leylandii hedge. ( There are other shrubs there as well, also thriving) Again, this would seem to indicate that height has a lot to do with it - probably because of light and root spread. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
In article , Sacha
writes The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly and the one the OP is talking about is a case in point. It was allowed to get much too tall and still is, from their point of view, I should think. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? Oh, for heaven's sake! I'm willing to take responsibility for what I do in my garden while it is my garden, but I do not see that I have responsibility to manage it a way that would ensure a future owner could not annoy the neighbours. After all, this argument also applies to beech hedges - *you* may manage your beech hedge, but a future owner may not and, after all, beech are forest trees. If you follow this argument, then the only allowable hedges are those from shrubs which will never reach more than 6 ft. And IMO, while you look after your hedge well, if someone wants a hedge to maintain at 8' then planting beech will achieve the same results, more attractively in what is my subjective opinion admittedly, and will put something back into the soil each year. Thank you for the night time act of daring! ;-) -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
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"Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/10/04 20:23, in article , "ned" wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... big snip The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly ........Then the howls of anguish should be hurled at the (mis)managers - not the plant. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? ............ I bought the house with the hedge there. It was taller than I would have wished. I knew what I was letting myself in for. We subsequently took about 3ft+ off the top and enjoy it for what it is, a superb windbreak, a structural feature, and home to the Juniper Shieldbug. (see website) When people buy houses, surely they weigh up what they are taking on. You don't move in and then say, "Oh, I didn't see that tall hedge there before." Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? And IMO, while you look after your hedge well, if someone wants a hedge to maintain at 8' then planting beech will achieve the same results, more attractively in what is my subjective opinion ............. But people do not consider what YOUR opinion is when they buy. They buy what THEY want. It would be a terrible world if we all thought the same. But I do get just a tad upset (just a tad) when I see the torrent of abuse that is heaped upon Leylandii, when it can be an attractive feature. Gardening is all about 'management'. One owner's beautiful lawn can be the next owners neglected wilderness. Why don't we hear outcries about that dreadful thing called grass? Eurghhh! It's running wild. It's all uneven. What a mess. 3ft tall and seeding - everywhere. This is neat and tidy suburbia. Can't we have it banned? ......... Or is that different? :-)) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
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On 26/10/04 19:34, in article , "ned"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... On 25/10/04 20:23, in article , "ned" wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... big snip The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly .......Then the howls of anguish should be hurled at the (mis)managers - not the plant. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? ........... I bought the house with the hedge there. It was taller than I would have wished. I knew what I was letting myself in for. We subsequently took about 3ft+ off the top and enjoy it for what it is, a superb windbreak, a structural feature, and home to the Juniper Shieldbug. (see website) When people buy houses, surely they weigh up what they are taking on. You don't move in and then say, "Oh, I didn't see that tall hedge there before." No. If you're me, you move in, look at it for a few months, think what an appallingly boring slab of nothingness it is and cut it down. Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? And IMO, while you look after your hedge well, if someone wants a hedge to maintain at 8' then planting beech will achieve the same results, more attractively in what is my subjective opinion ............ But people do not consider what YOUR opinion is when they buy. They buy what THEY want. It would be a terrible world if we all thought the same. But I do get just a tad upset (just a tad) when I see the torrent of abuse that is heaped upon Leylandii, when it can be an attractive feature. Gardening is all about 'management'. One owner's beautiful lawn can be the next owners neglected wilderness. Why don't we hear outcries about that dreadful thing called grass? Eurghhh! It's running wild. It's all uneven. What a mess. 3ft tall and seeding - everywhere. This is neat and tidy suburbia. Can't we have it banned? ........ Or is that different? :-)) Definitely. When grass seeds it doesn't grow to over 100 ft. and it produces some rather lovely flowers, if left to itself. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
On 26/10/04 19:51, in article , "Mike Lyle"
wrote: Sacha wrote: On 26/10/04 17:00, in article , "Kay" wrote: In article , Sacha writes The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly and the one the OP is talking about is a case in point. It was allowed to get much too tall and still is, from their point of view, I should think. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? Oh, for heaven's sake! I'm willing to take responsibility for what I do in my garden while it is my garden, but I do not see that I have responsibility to manage it a way that would ensure a future owner could not annoy the neighbours. But it is leylandii with which this problem of neglect so often arises and then so *fast* and that is why the subject arises on here rather a lot. And it is why people like me who loathe and detest the things and have 'suffered' from them, take the view we do. You have a different one and you're welcome to it. Any badly managed hedge is a potential blot but it's leylandii that seem to outstrip all other complaints. After all, this argument also applies to beech hedges - *you* may manage your beech hedge, but a future owner may not and, after all, beech are forest trees. If you follow this argument, then the only allowable hedges are those from shrubs which will never reach more than 6 ft. Perhaps that would be a good idea in places where others can suffer from a neighbour's lack of consideration. And surely, given that a garden is a bequest to posterity, one shouldn't encourage ill-informed people to use Leylandii when there are so many alternatives. Geoffrey Smith says he couldn't garden without it (because he's high up in Yorkshire and needed rapid shelter); but he doesn't live on an eight-houses-per-acre development: AFAIK, his garden is next to farmland, which is a horse of a different kettle. If you know what you're doing, it's ok: I've even used them as specimen trees (yeah, yeah: even my mother thought I was crazy) because that garden needed height and evergreen in a hurry and I was skint. We do owe some duty to our neighbours, and to our successors. I've gardened on the northern side of one of these things: the neighbours were absolutely charming, and the effect on their side was undeniably beautiful. The house was exactly what we needed at the time. Trap. Mike. Anyone who plants trees - and leylandii are trees, not hedging plants - should be aware as many are, thank god, that you plant trees for the following generations. Leylandii as windbreaks or screens on unobstructed sites are useful. As hedges in small gardens they're a potential menace. I don't *think* I've heard of anyone writing in here or anywhere for that matter, to complain of an out of control beech hedge they've 'inherited'. But leylandii? The queries over its management on this group are continuous and for good and obvious reasons. Every time I drive past a house in this neighbourhood I'm made aware of this. For years this was a well-maintained hedge which acted both as a privacy screen and as a windbreak. The man of the house is now very ill and the hedge is going untrimmed......... -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
"Sacha" wrote in message k... big, big snip But leylandii? The queries over its management on this group are continuous ......... as are queries over ponds, compost heaps, best mower, etc. and for good and obvious reasons. (Sascha says) Every time I drive past a house in this neighbourhood I'm made aware of this. For years this was a well-maintained hedge which acted both as a privacy screen and as a windbreak. The man of the house is now very ill and the hedge is going untrimmed......... ...................... lack of maintenance! Cease to maintain any garden and it will degenerate. What would an unmaintained beech hedge grow into? ........ Don't tell me. A ginormous beautiful beech hedge? ;-) 'Course you're not prejudiced. ;-) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
On 26/10/04 11:51 pm, in article ,
" wrote: In article , Sacha writes Anyone who plants trees - and leylandii are trees, not hedging plants - should be aware as many are, thank god, that you plant trees for the following generations. But many trees are used as hedges Sacha, Beech, Hawthorn to name but two snip In essence, I've answered this in my reply to Kay. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
On 27/10/04 12:13 am, in article , "ned"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... big, big snip But leylandii? The queries over its management on this group are continuous ........ as are queries over ponds, compost heaps, best mower, etc. But not as the target of almost exclusively complaints. and for good and obvious reasons. (Sascha says) Every time I drive past a house in this neighbourhood I'm made aware of this. For years this was a well-maintained hedge which acted both as a privacy screen and as a windbreak. The man of the house is now very ill and the hedge is going untrimmed......... ..................... lack of maintenance! Cease to maintain any garden and it will degenerate. What would an unmaintained beech hedge grow into? ....... Don't tell me. A ginormous beautiful beech hedge? See my response to Kay. ;-) 'Course you're not prejudiced. ;-) I'm extremely prejudiced and I make no bones about it. But I'm prejudiced for good reason. Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. Leylandii have their place as effective wind breaks where space allows for them. As hedges in small gardens, sorry but no. Not, IMO. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
In article ,
Kay wrote: In article , Sacha writes The fuss is because many such hedges are *not* managed properly and the one the OP is talking about is a case in point. It was allowed to get much too tall and still is, from their point of view, I should think. While *you* are managing your hedge, all is well but what if you sell the house? Will the next owner be as conscientious, have the time, care as much? Oh, for heaven's sake! I'm willing to take responsibility for what I do in my garden while it is my garden, but I do not see that I have responsibility to manage it a way that would ensure a future owner could not annoy the neighbours. After all, this argument also applies to beech hedges - *you* may manage your beech hedge, but a future owner may not and, after all, beech are forest trees. If you follow this argument, then the only allowable hedges are those from shrubs which will never reach more than 6 ft. I think that both of you should try mixing some black and white paint, and seeing what colour it makes :-) The difference is not an absolute, but there ARE major differences between overgrown beech and leylandii hedges. For example: Beech can be cut back and regrow rather more readily Beech allows more light through in the winter Beech allows more rain through, so more will grow underneath Yes, leylandii can be kept under control, but a leylandii hedge that has got more than (say) 2-3 years out of control needs cutting down. One that is 5 years out of control is seriously objectionable in suburbia. I don't know how old a beech hedge can be and be salvaged, but let's say 5-10 years. And one out of control will start to thin itself naturally and drop leaves in winter, so is much less objectionable than leylandii. However, laurel is every bit as objectionable as leylandii, despite being salvageable in old age. I am old enough to remember when it attracted the same vitriol as leylandii, and for the same reasons. It seems that there is always a "standard bearer" for the fast growing, dense evergreen hedging plants, and that attracts all the (justified) venom directed at improperly maintained examples. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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In article , Sacha
writes Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. perhaps there are just fewer beech hedges? There are a huge number of leylandii and other conifer hedges - a small proportion not looked after would numerically be much larger than a similar proportion of other hedges. And don't forget the bandwagon effect. Leylandii complaints are the 'in thing' atm. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
In article ,
Kay wrote: In article , Sacha writes Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. perhaps there are just fewer beech hedges? Not in suburbia in the south-east - they compare with hawthorn and privet in number. leylandii stand out more, but I doubt that there are any more than ones of those three. No, the reasons for beech hedges' lower objectionality are primarily due to their nature (see my posting, and Sacha's point above). The same does not apply to all hedges (e.g. laurel). And don't forget the bandwagon effect. Leylandii complaints are the 'in thing' atm. Yes, that is so. A fair comparison is with laurel, and the reduced number of current complaints about laurel IS because of the reduced number of hedges. When laurel hedges were used in the way leylandii is now, they got the same complaints. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
"Sacha" wrote in message k... snip Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. Sascha, I do not know where you get your polarised attitude from. My well maintained Leylandii gets the same maintenance as all the farm Hawthorn hedges in Lincolnshire. It gets trimmed once a year. My domestic Hawthorn hedge needs trimming twice. As does my Privet. Hawthorn always outstrips Leylandii in the growth stakes. I took about 18" off the table top of the Leylandii this year. The farm hawthorn leaders were over 3ft. In the 560 yds of hawthorn in my care it is hardly surprising that the odd Sycamore, Ash, Elder - yes, and Beech, (and one Plum) intrude to spoil the symmetry. All are rampant and outgrow the hawthorn. So the Leylandii pale into insignificance beside them. These are not my opinions. These are facts that I live with, day in, year out. PS. I notice that further down the thread your argument starts to change. :-)) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
On 27/10/04 4:59 pm, in article , "Kay"
wrote: In article , Sacha writes Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. perhaps there are just fewer beech hedges? Perhaps. But when did you last read 6 complaints about out of control beech hedges on here? Or even three? Leylandii even has its own place in urg's FAQ. There are a huge number of leylandii and other conifer hedges - a small proportion not looked after would numerically be much larger than a similar proportion of other hedges. And don't forget the bandwagon effect. Leylandii complaints are the 'in thing' atm. In that case, they have been the 'in thing' for many years and for very good reason. If they are the most planted hedge, they are the most planted hedge causing the most annoyance, most suffering and most all round bloody nuisance. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
On 27/10/04 7:24 pm, in article , "ned"
wrote: "Sacha" wrote in message k... snip Perhaps people take better care of beech hedges because they don't take so much care and that is because they don't grow at such a terrific rate. Sascha, I do not know where you get your polarised attitude from. My well maintained Leylandii gets the same maintenance as all the farm Hawthorn hedges in Lincolnshire. It gets trimmed once a year. My domestic Hawthorn hedge needs trimming twice. As does my Privet. Hawthorn always outstrips Leylandii in the growth stakes. I took about 18" off the table top of the Leylandii this year. The farm hawthorn leaders were over 3ft. In the 560 yds of hawthorn in my care it is hardly surprising that the odd Sycamore, Ash, Elder - yes, and Beech, (and one Plum) intrude to spoil the symmetry. All are rampant and outgrow the hawthorn. So the Leylandii pale into insignificance beside them. These are not my opinions. These are facts that I live with, day in, year out. PS. I notice that further down the thread your argument starts to change. :-)) My argument does not change. Well maintained hedges of any sort are one thing. Out of control hedges are another. Leylandii hedges can get out of control faster and more radically than any other type of hedge and are not suitable for suburban gardens. They are not so objectionable used as windbreaks where they do not encroach upon the gardens of others. I still hate them, think them boring, giving nothing to the land on which they are grown and a waste of space - literally. But you are welcome to Google this group to see how many complaints there are about e.g. Leylandii and how many about beech, hawthorn. And, BTW, I don't know where you live or how or when your hedge was planted but if you have that mix in it, you may have one of the ancient hedges planted with an eye to witchcraft and the various functions of the various trees. They were planted as a boundary in more ways than one, time past. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
Sacha wrote:
snip And, BTW, I don't know where you live ... ......... Oh, Sacha. You disappoint me. I told you in my last post that it was Lincolnshire. or how or when your hedge was planted ....... No, I don't know that either. 'Bit before my time. But, I do know that the principal boundaries were set out according to the 'Enclosures Act' of 1773. but if you have that mix in it, you may have one of the ancient hedges planted with an eye to witchcraft and the various functions of the various trees. They were planted as a boundary in more ways than one, time past. .......Well it certainly appreciates the TLC that it's getting. It is a wonderful haven for wildlife. As is the (well maintained) Leylandii.!!! :-)) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 15.10.2004 |
In article , Sacha
writes In that case, they have been the 'in thing' for many years and for very good reason. If they are the most planted hedge, they are the most planted hedge causing the most annoyance, most suffering and most all round bloody nuisance. That still doesn't mean to say the are *always* a bad thing, and *always* the wrong solution. I'm not arguing that there isn't a problem, I'm arguing against the extreme reaction on urg whereby whenever leylandii is mentioned someone always pops up and says 'prune them 6 inches below ground level'. And I'm also arguing against the argument that we should plant our gardens in such a way that no-one in the future should be able to use our plantings to cause a nuisance to their neighbours. Can we expect no-one to be responsible for their own actions any more? -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
In article , Kay writes: | | And I'm also arguing against the argument that we should plant our | gardens in such a way that no-one in the future should be able to use | our plantings to cause a nuisance to their neighbours. | Can we expect no-one to be responsible for their own actions any more? You are STILL being too simplistic. Let us say that I live uphill of you (in, say, the Highlands), and build a construction that is likely to collapse if snow is allowed to accumulate. I do that religiously, in the middle of a snowfall if need be. I then sell my property to someone else, without placing any constraint on him to do so and without even explicitly informing him of the need. He does not do so, and it collapses, damaging your property. Would you say that I had no moral responsibility? Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
On 28/10/04 2:19, in article , "ned"
wrote: Sacha wrote: snip And, BTW, I don't know where you live ... ......... Oh, Sacha. You disappoint me. I told you in my last post that it was Lincolnshire. or how or when your hedge was planted ....... No, I don't know that either. 'Bit before my time. But, I do know that the principal boundaries were set out according to the 'Enclosures Act' of 1773. but if you have that mix in it, you may have one of the ancient hedges planted with an eye to witchcraft and the various functions of the various trees. They were planted as a boundary in more ways than one, time past. .......Well it certainly appreciates the TLC that it's getting. It is a wonderful haven for wildlife. As is the (well maintained) Leylandii.!!! :-)) It's funny you say that about leylandii (and I'm not being sarcastic) but I had a long and high hedge of it at one house and rarely saw birds on it or in it. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
On 28/10/04 8:53, in article , "Kay"
wrote: In article , Sacha writes In that case, they have been the 'in thing' for many years and for very good reason. If they are the most planted hedge, they are the most planted hedge causing the most annoyance, most suffering and most all round bloody nuisance. That still doesn't mean to say the are *always* a bad thing, and *always* the wrong solution. I'm not arguing that there isn't a problem, I'm arguing against the extreme reaction on urg whereby whenever leylandii is mentioned someone always pops up and says 'prune them 6 inches below ground level'. I make no bones about detesting leylandii but have also said that in the right place, they have their uses. And IMO and that of many others, the right place is not a small or suburban garden. And I'm also arguing against the argument that we should plant our gardens in such a way that no-one in the future should be able to use our plantings to cause a nuisance to their neighbours. Can we expect no-one to be responsible for their own actions any more? Well, I always thought the philosophy of planting trees - and leylandii are trees - is that you *do* plant for future generations. We don't advise people to plant trees that will be giants blocking their front doors, on the grounds that "the next owners or next generation can always cut it down." It is my view and I thought it was a generally accepted one, that planting trees IS the responsibility of the person doing it. You may not agree with that in which case we shall have to agree to disagree, I hope. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
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