Hedge Replacement Advice

billyp7WmtKKM · December 2021

We are looking to remove a beech hedge (zig zagged) that is taking up considerable space in our garden and replace it with a portuguese laurel that is much tighter against the fence to give us more space.

You can see how much room its taking up in photo. about 8/9ft of space

I am looking for advice, If I remove the beech hedge and remove the stumps and roots as best as I can, am I ok to plant another hedge in its space right away? Just by trying to remove as much roots as possible and add new improved soil/compost etc? Can I plant right away? I know it is impossible to get rid of everything.

I am just concerned trying to replace a hedge and any issues I may encounter. I need to replace it right away ideally once roots are removed.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/wx/45srrdxatb68.jpg

JennyJ · December 2021

I would say it'll be fine if you get the stumps and most of the roots out, and improve the soil. Maybe add a sprinkling of bone meal to the planting holes (not a high-nitrogen feed at this time of year).

I thought laurel hedges got quite wide though? Hopefully someone else with better knowledge will be along. Funnily enough, the best narrow hedges I've ever seen were beech (or possibly hornbeam) at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

Fairygirl · December 2021

It's a shame you're taking it out. As @JennyJ says, beech and hornbeam are fabulous for keeping in a restricted area. They can be cut back very hard. It's why they're so good for pleaching too.

Portuguese laurel can be kept neat - it's far better behaved than cherry laurel.

Redwing · December 2021

I agree with @Fairygirl; it would be a shame to remove a beech hedge.

Bilje · December 2021

Our 35 year old beech hedge got overwide. We usually keep it in order by a trim in June then in August but it gradually widened as we got older and had less energy haha. . We paid a reputable company to cut it well back after taking their advice. It looked a bit sorry for itself over winter last year but fully greened up over the summer and looks fine now. A neighbour has a stretch of cherry Laurel hedge which has become totally unmanageable probably15 feet high and 8 feet wide. Beech can be cut with a hedge trimmer but a hedge trimmer slashes the longer wider leaves of Laurel. Another vote to keep your beech hedge.

Plantminded · December 2021

Your open rural setting looks ideal for your beech hedge - I'd be reluctant to remove it before trying a hard prune to regain some control as described above. The one advantage that Portuguese laurel gives you is that it is evergreen. However, it really needs to be pruned with secateurs to avoid that tatty torn leaf look, which could be labour intensive for you. I like them as individual shrubs when they can be carefully trimmed by hand.

Loxley · December 2021

A bit late now but yes I would have kept it and cut it hard back too!

Fairygirl · December 2021

The problem is that the OP's hedge is a staggered one. Even if you removed all the front row, you'd need to leave a reasonable amount of room for the back row to furnish out and look good - around a foot or so from the main trunks. That would take it, roughly, to where the front row currently is. The hedge would still be in the region of 3 or 4 feet in depth.
To have a tight hedge, taking up less space - which is what's wanted, the hedging would need to have been planted much nearer the fence. It could then have been kept at around 15 to 18 inches in depth, no problem. As it is, that's not possible.
A mature beech hedge can be hacked back hard, and will come away again, but you can't alter the position of those trunks.

Plantminded · December 2021

I wonder whether the beech hedge was planted that distance away from the fence to create an access route between the hedge and fence to enable maintenance? A new hedge close to a link style fence will grow through the links and be difficult to maintain, especially if power tools are used to do this.

If that doesn't concern you @billyp7WmtKKM, to achieve more space in your garden the Portuguese laurel will be a good choice. As @JennyJ says, try to get the stumps and main roots out before you plant. Weather permitting, you should be able to plant once the beech hedge is removed although I would probably delay planting until March when the soil starts to warm up and the plants start their new season's growth.

billyp7WmtKKM · December 2021

There is nothing behind me, no neighbours, just a walk path 30m away. I am rural

There is no need for the hedge to planted that far forward and it is taking up far too much space 8ft and I only have 7m garden before I hit that hedge. It's a shame to take it out, but we need to give us that space.

I think I will remove it March and try and remove all roots/stumps and add lots of top soil/compost and plant a brand new portuguese laurel hedge.

I will be honest, I also prefer the evergreen colour in the winter and I have already planted portuguese laurel on the 2 other sides you can see in the background (where walk way is). These really really stand out just now compared to the beech, although he beech looks great in the summer.

Thanks everyone for advice.

Fairygirl · December 2021

I think that's the best solution for you @billyp7WmtKKM. I'd never suggest removing a nice hedge, but it has to suit you and your garden

If it had been a single row of beech, and nearer the fence, it would have been fine in terms of size.
If you're able to get it out and prepped before March though, you could order bare root plants for your new hedge. That will save you a fair bit of dosh

Hedge Replacement Advice

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