Beech Hedge overgrown
Hi,
There is a beech hedge at the bottom of my garden which has not been properly maintained (doesn't belong to me). The hedge is some 20 odd feet high and 90 ft long. The problem is that the growth is mostly in the top half with the bottom being mainly trunks (some up to 6"). Yesterday I spent trimming back the overhanging branches and whilst doing this I wondered if I could "graft" some branches back onto the main trunks and re-establish growth back toward the bottom? Would it be worth attempting and if so how would I go about it? regards, David |
"David" wrote in message ... Hi, There is a beech hedge at the bottom of my garden which has not been properly maintained (doesn't belong to me). The hedge is some 20 odd feet high and 90 ft long. The problem is that the growth is mostly in the top half with the bottom being mainly trunks (some up to 6"). Yesterday I spent trimming back the overhanging branches and whilst doing this I wondered if I could "graft" some branches back onto the main trunks and re-establish growth back toward the bottom? Would it be worth attempting and if so how would I go about it? regards, David Hi David, I had the same problem with my 200ft long x 12ft high beech hedge when I moved into my house. Over the years I've gradually been reducing the height each year, and pruning (with secatuers and loppers) any outwardly pointing branches back to a sideways or vertical facing branch or bud. The hedge responds by growing buds on the trunk, which are again pruned back to sideways and vertical facing buds once they are long enough. The best time to prune/renovate is now and then give it a tidy up in the autumn. After 5 years, I've now got quite dense growth for the whole height of a 8ft high hedge. The other thing that I did was to take some of the clippings and stick them in the ground, to fill some spaces. Hope this helps. Cheers Nick http://www.ukgardening.co.uk |
Thanks, Nick. I like your suggestion re the cuttings. Any special technique
for getting the cuttings to establish , or do you just "stick them in the ground"? regards, David "Nick Gray" wrote in message ... "David" wrote in message ... Hi, There is a beech hedge at the bottom of my garden which has not been properly maintained (doesn't belong to me). The hedge is some 20 odd feet high and 90 ft long. The problem is that the growth is mostly in the top half with the bottom being mainly trunks (some up to 6"). Yesterday I spent trimming back the overhanging branches and whilst doing this I wondered if I could "graft" some branches back onto the main trunks and re-establish growth back toward the bottom? Would it be worth attempting and if so how would I go about it? regards, David Hi David, I had the same problem with my 200ft long x 12ft high beech hedge when I moved into my house. Over the years I've gradually been reducing the height each year, and pruning (with secatuers and loppers) any outwardly pointing branches back to a sideways or vertical facing branch or bud. The hedge responds by growing buds on the trunk, which are again pruned back to sideways and vertical facing buds once they are long enough. The best time to prune/renovate is now and then give it a tidy up in the autumn. After 5 years, I've now got quite dense growth for the whole height of a 8ft high hedge. The other thing that I did was to take some of the clippings and stick them in the ground, to fill some spaces. Hope this helps. Cheers Nick http://www.ukgardening.co.uk |
"David" wrote in message ... Thanks, Nick. I like your suggestion re the cuttings. Any special technique for getting the cuttings to establish , or do you just "stick them in the ground"? regards, David Hi David, During the autumn tidy up, I take a small branch, from this seasons growth, about the thickness of a pencil. Cut just below a bud and then just above a bud so the cutting is about 12-18' long. Remove any leaves to stop the cutting getting blown around by the wind. Then I just stick them in the ground, burying them to two thirds their length, then gently firm the soil around them. Plant more cuttings than you'll eventually need, it's easier to move growing plants, than have to wait another year to try again. BTW. My hedge is in free draining soil and is south-facing, so I've got pretty good conditions. If you've got heavy soil or if the cuttings are going to be in shade, you might be better off starting them in another area of the garden or in pots. HTH Cheers Nick http://www.ukgardening.co.uk |
Thanks Nick. I've got a patch away from the hedge where I will have a go and
see if I can get them to take first, regards, David |
"Janet Baraclough" wrote in message ... Just like posting messages to newsgroups. Please edit and don't top-post. There's a weekly post called abc for newcomers to urg .. Outlook user and lazy yes, newcomer no! So should have known better. Now am away to dust down Forte Agent again!! David |
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