Cherry Laurel Hedge wind damage

carlaw8kQKjfr · April 2023

In September 2022 we planted a cherry laurel hedge. We chose 1.5m plants because we wanted privacy quickly. However a couple of months ago, we had 60km/h winds which tore the leaves off the plants. They look very bare now. There are small new shoots appearing. My question is: Should we just wait and see what happens or should we cut the hedge to help it grow better?

Fairygirl · April 2023

should we cut the hedge to help it grow better?

Yes.

carlaw8kQKjfr · April 2023

Whereabouts would you suggest I cut it?

Fairygirl · April 2023

I'd take at least a third off it, but it's difficult without seeing it. I don't know how good or bad the specimens look

Taller specimens are always harder to establish - even in ideal conditions. Smaller ones are always easier.

carlaw8kQKjfr · April 2023

Thank you for your message. I have attached a few pics here. The winds were very icy and were up to 70km/h. I am sorry they are not the right way round.
It is so sad to see them like this. They were so bushy before.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/cm/ph2hck48ccxu.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/dj/1zza0m6lv4s0.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/u6/0k0kklkwa6sc.jpeg

Fairygirl · April 2023

I'd take a couple of feet off those.
If it's an exposed site, which your winds suggest, you may need a temporary physical barrier as well until they're established properly. That's quite common up here - especially further north and on the islands etc. Some battens and mesh usually does the job. Even where I am, we get regular spells of strong gale force winds [40 - 50 mph] even though we're only at around 400 feet. That will affect establishment of shrubs/hedging etc.
It'll still take a year, or even more, for them to get going.

bédé · April 2023

Wait and see is my standard recommendation. It has always worked for me.

Perhaps a tidy-up prune if you don't want your garden to look scruffy.

For other readers: Large plants are usually not the fastest doers, they take longer to settle in.

Fairygirl · April 2023

We have a very comprehensive laurel thread here @carlaw8kQKjfr .
Everything you'll ever need to know about growing laurel - if you have an hour or so. I should have directed you there at the start

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1

You'll see the same advice gets given consistently, especially about larger specimens and cutting them back. It's a common situation - wanting a quicker screen and buying bigger plants.

carlaw8kQKjfr · April 2023

Thank you so much for all your information. The hedge was doing very well until the strongest winds in 50years hit it. It is so disheartening to see before and after photos. Thank you all.

Fairygirl · April 2023

It'll recover @carlaw8kQKjfr. It's laurel - it's almost indestructible, and it's coming away fine at the bottom.
It's still getting established too - that takes a fair while, and it's why it pays to cut them back so that there's less top growth for the roots to support, and it also encourages sideways, bushier growth. That's also why smaller plants are better to start off with.
By the end of summer, it should have improved a good bit, and by next summer it'll be doing well, and you'll be getting the hedgetrimmers out

In case anyone says it - I'll repeat what I said on another thread about laurel. If the hedge is long, use a hedge trimmer. You'll be there for ever more using secateurs. They're often recommended for cherry laurel, so that you aren't left with leaves cut in half which go brown. It's not really necessary, because the damaged ones drop off in time, or you can go over the hedge later and snip them off very easily.

Lyn · April 2023

We always use electric clippers on ours, OH definitely wouldn’t do that job by hand 3 times a year. The cut leaves go brown and drop off, very quickly.

Cherry Laurel Hedge wind damage

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