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Hedging for narrow land strip

paulow13paulow13 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I am hoping to replace a boundary fence with hedging, the strip of land is 6 metres long but only 1 metre wide, not only that but on one side there is a path and the other side a retaining wall that is below the land level (it resembles a raised bed on one side) Initially I was hoping to use hawthorn but apparently the root systems could cause a problem. Would beech or hornbeam be suitable for such a hedge without causing a problem for either side? (the path side belongs to a neighbour)

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Beech or Hornbeam would be fine. Both can be kept very narrow if needed.
    If the soil's wet or heavy, or you're in a wetter area, hornbeam is better than beech as it doesn't mind those conditions  :)
    If you're quick, you might still get bare root hedging too, from good online suppliers. The season is just about over, so you might need to be quick. Saves a lot of money  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    A metre wide will acommodate  any of those, or yew or holly.  Keep it tightly clipped and to a metre high and it will be no bother. Who is going to clip on the neighbours side to make sure it doesn't encroach? Some of our neighbours clip, but we have been known to do both sides of the hedges as we particularly want to keep them for wildlife habitat.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I meant to say that hawthorn wouldn't necessarily be a problem either, but blackthorn is a problem with rooting and running, so maybe there's a bit of confusion there  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • RedwingRedwing Posts: 1,511
    As there is a path one side anything prickly is probably not a great idea.  Hornbeam is excellent on clay, should you have clay soil.

    Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
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