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New beech hedge still brown

amy.liversidgeamy.liversidge Posts: 3
in Problem solving
We planted a 4 foot beech hedge a few months ago and the majority of trees are still brown. Has it died or should we give it time? I'm slightly concerned that we've planted them too close together, could that have had an impact?

Posts

  • DampGardenManDampGardenMan Posts: 1,054
    Still have brown leaves do you mean? I would have expected the leaves to have been dropped by now and the new buds to be swelling or opening. It might be the fact that the hedge is new, or it might be that you live in a very cold area??? Are there other beech hedges in the neighbourhood you could check out?

    Scratch a bit of bark near the end of a twig(s) with your fingernail. If there's green underneath the plant is still alive.

    A photo might help somebody wiser in the ways of hedges than I ...
  • amy.liversidgeamy.liversidge Posts: 3
    Thanks @DampGardenMan. Yes, i mean the leaves are still brown. There are buds on the trees I just can't remember whether they were there when we planted them or if they've grow since. We have a thriving beech hedge right next to this one, plus the trees are in the sun all day long, so i don't think it's a condition issue. I've scratched a twig and it's green so maybe there's hope! I'll post a picture when i can...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi Amy - I wouldn't worry too much. Were they bare root or potted? 
    Either way, at four foot, plants can take a bit longer to establish, and the weather's only just picking up now, so unless there's good reason for them to die off, they should start colouring up soon. If the area was well prepped too, it should be fine.  
    Cold, wet ground isn't so good for them, so if you have that, they may take a bit longer too.
    I wouldn't worry about the planting distance either - they can take that.
    Round here, older beech hedges are only just greening up, so it also depends whereabouts you are.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amy.liversidgeamy.liversidge Posts: 3
    Thanks @Fairygirl, that gives me hope.
  • matt_fendermatt_fender Posts: 169
    I'd just echo what @Fairygirl has already said, which is not to worry! Beech trees can seem very late to come into leaf (and push their old brown leaves off). The beech in our mixed native hedge have only just got rid of the last of their brown leaves in the last few weeks, and if you just planted this past winter you can expect them to be a little slower off the mark than usual.
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