Trimming Beech Hedges - How To Prune Beech Hedge Trees

When trimming a Beech (or any other hedge) we would always recommend tapering the sides a little so that the base of the hedge is slightly wider than the top. This way daylight will always reach the lower parts of the hedge keeping the growth dense and bushy all the way up and avoiding unsightly gaps at the base.

How do you trim a beech hedge?

Start with the top of the hedge, then do the sides. After leveling the top of the hedge, work down the side of each plant from top to ground level. Taper the beech hedge plants outward like the letter “A.” This allows light to reach the lower branches and encourages leaf coverage near the bottom.

Can I cut 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 do you reduce the width of a beech hedge?

Reduce its height by up to half if the hedge is too tall. Take it down a bit more than you need to so there is fresh growth on top for you to trim later. Although you should not do so at the same time (i.e. the same winter), you can also reduce its width by up to half.

How do you prune a beech hedge UK?

After the summer growth spurt, deciduous hedges, like beech and hornbeam, need to be pruned before the leaves change colour and fall. September is the best month to do it. Deciduous hedges are best pruned with secateurs, rather than with a hedge trimmer or shears.

When should a beech hedge be cut back?

The best time for trimming Beech hedges is in late summer, ideally in August. By trimming at this time of year the hedge will respond by retaining its leaves through the Winter giving the effective year-round screen that is often sought from this species.

How far back can you trim hedges?

Deciduous, formal hedges (those pruned to a definite size and shape), such as privets, that become open and leggy also can be rejuvenated by pruning them back to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground in late winter/early spring.

When should you not cut hedges?

We recommend avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.

Does trimming a hedge make it grow thicker?

Trimming a hedge in a wedge shape that is wider at the bottom will make it grow thicker by enabling more even regrowth. Cut back the hedge at the top to steer growth to the sides of your bushes and use organic fertiliser to encourage the plant's development.

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.

How do you reduce the height of a hedge?

Conifer hedges

Reduce the height by up to one-third in April.
Thin out the side branches, removing selected branches right back to the trunk but leaving the others intact. ...
Mulch and feed in spring to encourage vigorous re-growth.
Allow at least a full growing season for recovery.

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.

How do you maintain hedges?

How to Maintain Your Hedges

Hand-Prune Hedges Before You Shear. In order to give your hedges some sunlight on the inside, make sure to hand-prune them before you trim them back. ...
Prune in the Winter to Reduce Wasted Energy. ...
Keep Hedges Wider at Their Base. ...
Plant Hedges With Enough Room to Grow.

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

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.

Why do beech hedges keep their leaves?

Beech saplings in plantations will retain their leaves throughout winter to protect the young plants from the ravages of winter. As beech hedges are trimmed regularly, and thus emulate the vulnerable sapling in as much as they are never allowed to reach full growth, they too retain their leaves.

How tall do beech trees grow?

Beech is a large deciduous tree with smooth grey bark and can grow to a height of 40 metres. It develops a domed crown which spreads out into a dense canopy.

When should I fertilize my beech hedge?

These should be fed in April or May to give them a little boost. An overdose of fertiliser could be damaging so easy does it! While you can plant a hedge any time of year, the best time to plant hedging is in the winter months as the plants are cheaper.

How much does a beech hedge grow each year?

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 kill a bush by trimming it?

Over pruning reduces the foliage that's available for making food for the rest of the plant and can allow pests and diseases access to the tree, if cuts are made incorrectly. ... So, although pruning may not kill your plant directly, over pruned trees and shrubs can die as a long term result of the associated stress.

Can you use a chainsaw to trim hedges?

A chainsaw can be used to trim bushes, hedges and shrubs. While not as effective as a hedge trimmer, a chainsaw can cut fast enough to trim through lighter woods. However, if you're looking for those precision cuts, a hedge trimmer will best serve your purposes.

How do you trim overgrown hedges?

1 Use loppers to remove one-third of the older stems, so sunlight can penetrate the hedge's interior. 2 Find long stems that grow out of hedge, and snip them close to the ground. 3 Where one stem branches into two, cut just above the Y-shaped split. 4 Continue cutting older stems, but leave new growth.