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Hawthorn Hedge

james.renfrew785FPijIjames.renfrew785FPijI Posts: 4
in Plants
Hi all
i am new to gardening and have a gap in my hedge of around 2
metres. I have planted a few hawthorn saplings but noticed a couple are sagging at the top and growing sideways/ down. Should I trim these down so they are straight up? 
Thanks!

Posts

  • jonathan.colejonathan.cole Posts: 221
    Hard to tell without a picture. If you put them in bare root did you cut them back the first year? If memory serves you want to cut them to about 40cm or something and just above a bud. That encourages business.
  • james.renfrew785FPijIjames.renfrew785FPijI Posts: 4

  • james.renfrew785FPijIjames.renfrew785FPijI Posts: 4
    Can see one of the offenders here. Not sure if I should trim this until it’s straight? I have only
    planted the saplings this week so never trimmed them
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    You should probably cut it back a bit regardless of any stray floppy bits, it will make them grow denser.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • james.renfrew785FPijIjames.renfrew785FPijI Posts: 4
    Would you cut the side branches or cut from the top?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Both. 
    I would cut the top shoots and sideshoots back by two-thirds. 

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





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