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Hornbeam hedge saplings with curling and browning leaves

louise818louise818 Posts: 40
in Problem solving
Recently planted (4 months) these were beautiful two weeks ago with new leaves ..now some are showing signs of distress - we live on the edge of farmland which has been recently sprayed but there has also been a late frost and it is very windy. Soil drainage is excellent though we have had a dry spell. We do water frequently. Some of the hedge is tucked in near established evergreens. Any ideas for us please.

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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    The dry spell doesn't help and watering is no where near as efficient as good old rain.
    The everygreen hedge will also be taking a lot of any available moisture and nutrients and then the spraying...depends which way the wind direction was when the spraying was done.
    Check how moist the soil is around the saplings.
    Keep watering (in the evening so the leaves don't get scorched). They need a lot of water in their young stage.
    A hornbeam hedge is lovely when it is established.
    Good luck

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Loads of water is required. Simple as that  :)
    I planted a hornbeam hedge in a previous garden. We had two very mature trees in it, and it was difficult to get holes decent enough for the whips, but our high rainfall meant that they all took, and although the ones nearest the trees took a little longer, it was good hedge within a few years.
    When you water - each sapling will need a bucket at a time, and you'll need to do that regularly for the next few months. A mulch will help after really heavy, deep watering too.  Hornbeam actually prefers quite wet conditions. 
    Frost and wind will nip a few leaves, but hornbeam is used to all of that. 
    My favourite hedge too @bertrand-mabel :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • adhobsonadhobson Posts: 1
    My recently planted (Nov 19) hornbeam hedge was doing brilliantly, lush green etc.. generous watering, all looking good. Not sure if last week's wind had anything to do with what has happened. Have a look at photo, any thoughts?

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Weather.
    If you look lower down - you'll see that the protected foliage is fine.
    All pretty normal. Any exposed foliage is more vulnerable.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • louise818louise818 Posts: 40
    Thanks everyone - we will water more! 
  • louise818louise818 Posts: 40
    Done and it is looking a bit better! 
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