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Thinning a beech hedge

BluebaronBluebaron Posts: 226
in Plants
I have a large Beech hedge which is getting hard to control.

I reduced the top by 4 foot this summer so now is around 7 foot tall and i plan to reduce further to round 5 foot. Its about 1.5m wide and difficult to reach across to cut.

Looking at the original planting i think i have too many for the space. (about 8inches between plants).

Do you think it is worth removing every other plant to 'thin' it out?

Also as you can see from the photo its very 'one-sided' This is the side where i cut back another plant and as you can see its not got a lot of growth on it. How can i enough growth on this side?

Thanks,

BB
 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think that now the other plant had gone and the sunlight can get to the trunks you should start to get new growth lower down in the coming year. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    It does look a bit like someone bought too many doesn't it!
    Like they followed instructions for planting a wide hedge, (staggered rows), but didn't stagger.

    I am not sure but if it were mine, I think I would remove some.
    If you  plan on cutting it lower that should help with branching lower down. And a good feed.
    I would take the other side back if it is very wide, but if you want privacy. maybe not too much, let this side recover then do the other side harder when the bare side has recovered a bit more.
    This link explains it in detail.
    https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/gardening-advice/how-to-plant-hedge/beech-hedge-renovation

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    When we moved to our house there was a neglected beech hedge planted in a single row like yours but perhaps 40 years old. It was thick at the top but bare lower down. We reduced the height over about 4 years; cleared the undergrowth and ivy to let the light in; fed it and trimmed the sides to bring it into shape. It's smashing now.
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