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Beech or hornbeam

vikemmettvikemmett Posts: 3
in Plants
Hi we want to plant a shortish hedge along part of our property around 8 foot high. I fancy either beech or hornbeam. We are on chalk so I’m wondering if which would be best? Many thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hornbeam is more tolerant of wetter conditions, but neither is bothered by soil type, so plant according to your general climate and conditions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have both in different areas but we are on clay soil.
    Lovely hedges though.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - loads of beech in this area, and my Dad had a beech hedge in our garden. Hornbeam seems less popular for some reason, although it would definitely cope better generally  with our climate and soil [clay] and I planted a hedge in a previous garden near here. The new owners have removed it all, and replaced it with ...leylandii.  :/ 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    We have beech on heavy clay. I think it looks better than hornbeam during the winter.
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    I have a very mature hornbeam hedge, which I love - it is a key part of my garden, giving me privacy, and providing a very good nesting site for the local birds. It is tough as old boots, having bounced back from some radical reshaping several times. However, agree with Posy that beech holds on to its leaves during the winter better.

    I cannot imagine why anyone would replace either of these with Leylandii  :o
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    I have a beech hedge it grows lovely and thick great place for birds to nest .Looks good all year round. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Never had a problem with hornbeam holding foliage, and it's less affected by severe weather [ice/frost] than beech in my experience.  :)

    There's no accounting for taste @Pianoplayer - and it's a totally unsuitable spot for it. I don't know if they've kept it trimmed properly, but it'll be as dark as hell in the house if they don't. We had two mature trees on the garden boundary, which didn't cause any problem with light due to the aspect, but that certainly will!

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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