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Hazel (cob nut) root system

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
I'm digging out a hazel . It was mature when we moved here 20 years ago. I'm going to replace it with something more attractive and less squirrel friendly. Someone in the forum suggested hawthorn . I like that idea.

It might help if I know a bit about the enemy.
Can anyone tell me what the root system will be like. Is it shallow? Please say yes! Is there tap root?
It seems to have been planted in heavy clay and rubble so I'm going to have to wait for some rain😕
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Why dig it out? Coppice it and cut your own plant canes from the re-growth every few years. Hawthorn will grow shoulder to shoulder with it quite happily.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It would be an awful lot easier I suppose. It's pretty much coppiced already, but unfortunately the canes have been chopped up and the thick branches are on the log pile.
    If I decide to do that, how close to the stump can I go? @wild edges ?

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Well in hedgerow planting you'd space hazel and hawthorn 30cm apart as young plants. I've always found that hawthorn whips planted to fill gaps in existing hedges seem to grow quickly enough as long as you keep an eye on them while they establish. The more space you can give it the better though.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Same here @philippasmith2 there's the last acuba that has the evil eye on it too. They're easier to get out.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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