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Privet hedge low foiliage

grantbeechamgrantbeecham Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hello everyone,

we would like to have some privacy in our garden and the hedge we have in between the border offers low foliage, especially now our neighbour has trimmed their side back. Does anybody have any suggestions on why it is not thick with leaves? 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It isn't privet, but in order to thicken up the base, it would need pruned back hard, and all the other stuff around it would need removing so that it can fill out without the other competition. A good mulch of compost, some slow release food and plenty of water would help it thrive again. 
    It looks like beech or hornbeam. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • grantbeechamgrantbeecham Posts: 4
    Thanks so much, I’m new to all this so I appreciate the advice. When would be the best time to prune it?

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Basically because it was not cut back sufficiently after planting, so hasn't developed many side shoots. Not helped by shade and competition from trees and other plants either.
    The best cure would be to cut it back hard over winter,  clearing the ground and adding some manure or feed in spring, to get it off to a good start, but that would mean losing the height you have now and waiting for it to re-grow.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It looks like it's all been pruned recently though, so it just needs a bit of help re the clearing away of the other weeds etc. and it should then fill out a bit more. If there are any obvious dead/damaged branches, they can be removed, or cut back to healthy leaf joints and that encourages branching.  It'll take a bit of time for that to happen though - it isn't instant  :)
    It's not easy to see the hedge clearly from the photo though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • grantbeechamgrantbeecham Posts: 4
    Thank you. When you say cut it back hard, what height should I cut it too? It’s just over 6ft at the minute. Thanks
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They can be cut back to whatever height you want really. They're pretty indestructible :)
    @Buttercupdays is essentially saying the same - it'll grow better in future with a bit of clearance round the base and surrounding area. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • grantbeechamgrantbeecham Posts: 4
    Thank you so much, I’ll make sure I follow up on the advice  :)
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    You can see the long straight stems with hardly any side shoots, and near the top your can see where it suddenly starts to branch out, after being cut back.
    You need to cut back below that, at least as low as the top of the wire fence and maybe even lower.  It sounds drastic and it is, but plants respond to cutting back by putting out new growth, as long as they are fed and watered.
    You do it in winter because that is when they are dormant and sustain least harm and it gives the wounds time to heal so it can put all its energy into growing when spring arrives.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Will this advice still apply if it isn't privet it looks like some kind of tree to me? :)
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Yes, if you want to thicken up the base.
    As @Fairygirl says, it is probably Beech or Hornbeam. Both are trees :)

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