beech hedge seeds

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.

How long does it take to grow a beech hedge?

How fast will it grow? Beech will grow approximately 30-60cm (1-2ft) per year if it is given good conditions for growth.

Can you propagate Beech?

The easiest method to propagate beech (Fagus sylvatica) is from seed by collecting ripe beech nuts or 'masts' in late summer or autumn. You can either sow them straight away or store them in the fridge to sow in February which helps avoid rodent problems in winter.

Is Beech Hedge good for wildlife?

Beech hedge plants can tolerate both sunny and partially shades sites, making it ideal for smaller gardens that may not get much sun exposure. ... Fagus sylvatica hedging offers huge wildlife value with the dense canopy of foliage making a fantastic shelter for nesting birds and small mammals such as hedgehogs.

What can you plant under a beech hedge?

Answers

Jimmytheone. Lesser celandine, Wood anemone, Bluebells, species geraniums and Vincas. ...
You could also try early flowering bulbs... 4 May, 2015.
If its a mature hedge in a narrow border not much will grow happily. Try grape hyacinth, as long as they can't spread anywhere else.

How far from the fence should I plant a hedge?

How far from a wall or fence can I plant them? For Mixed/Traditional hedging 45cm - 60cm (18-24 inches) is adequate. If your planning to grow a tall hedge then slightly more space will be required.

What is the best time of year to plant a hedge?

Plant deciduous hedges from January to March, and evergreen hedges in March or April. Water or soak each plant well at least an hour before planting. If you buy bare-root plants, soak immediately for an hour, then heel into spare ground until planting. Keep the plants in a bucket of water while waiting to be planted.

How close to a boundary can I plant a hedge?

A garden hedge can be planted any distance from the property boundary, however some communities have property deeds that may restrict or regulate the planting of hedges on or near the boundary. Where this is not the case, you will only need to agree with your neighbour–so long as there are no boundary disputes.

Can I cut a beech hedge in April?

Beech hedges are usually pruned in August. They grow rapidly in the early part of the year, but need to grow a little after cutting to make sure there are no bare patches through the winter. ... If necessary, prune it hard in April to reduce the size of the hedge.

How long does it take for a hedge to regrow?

A plant of around 24 inches can reach a height of 30 inches within 2 to 3 years. Providing hedges with the right conditions can help accelerate growth, but most plants will take an average of 5 years to achieve its full height and proper form.

Is beech hedging fast growing?

Although beech plants are deciduous, its striking winter leaves stay on the hedge until they are ready to make way for new growth in spring, making beech hedging a wonderful alternative to evergreen hedging that provides year-round interest. ... Beech hedging is a relatively fast grower, achieving around 30-60cm per annum.

Is Beech a hardwood or softwood?

A Hardwood With a Delicate Bark

Despite having bark so thin and delicate that carving one's initials in it will permanently scar the tree, Beech is a type of hardwood.

How far do beech tree roots spread?

Table below shows the Minimum Distance from property and Maximum root spread recorded

Beech	Fagus	Min – 9.0 metres
Ash	Fraxinus	Min – 10.0 metres
Horse Chestnut	Aesculus	Min – 10.0 metres
Elm	Ulmus	Min – 12.0 metres
Maple & Sycamore	Acer	Min – 12.0 metres

Can you cut a beech hedge in December?

If you need to prune out a branch for any reason, do this in winter when the tree is dormant. We have a great selection of bareroot beech hedge plants for planting between November and March and potted plants for summer delivery.

Which hedges are best for wildlife?

Native shrubs and trees like hawthorn, field maple, blackthorn, beech, hornbeam and holly make an ideal mixture of hedging plants. Grow rambling plants, such as wild rose, bramble and honeysuckle, through your hedge to provide even more shelter and food for wildlife.

What is the best fast growing plant for forming a hedge?

Leylandii (Green)

Leylandii is a conifer that is the fastest –growing, evergreen, hedging plant and will create a hedge quickly. Because it is fast growing, it is generally the cheapest way of forming an evergreen garden hedge and hence the most popular.

Are yew hedges good for wildlife?

Our native evergreen Yew, the king of hedges and again, one of the best hedges for wildlife, is ideal for more formal, well clipped hedging. Yew is long lasting and a great source of food and shelter for birds with red berries in autumn /winter and secure nesting.

What can you plant under a hedge?

Add colour to a mixed native hedge with spring flowering plants

Aconite, Winter (Eranthis hyemalis)
Anemone, Wood ( Anemone nemorosa)
Bluebells, English (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bugloss (Ajuga reptans)
Celandine.
Crocus.
Daffodils, Wild (Narcissus pseudonarcissus; Wordsworths' Daffodil)
Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

What do you put under hedges?

Compost (garden or spent mushroom), leaf mould, well-rotted manure, wood or bark chippings or even seaweed all make excellent mulches for use not only under hedges but across the garden.

What grows well under trees?

Some of the more popular shade- and root-tolerant woodland plants include understory shrubs such as oakleaf hydrangea, azaleas, euonymus, variegated aucuba, soft-tip yucca, nandina, many hollies, mahonia, and spirea. These generally do very well, as you can see from a drive around any older, established neighborhoods.