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Hawthorne hedge

wrighta2499629wrighta2499629 Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi does anyone know roughly the root spread of a Hawthorne/native hedge?
we planted a hedge row 3 years ago and will not be letting it get any taller than 4-5 ft tall but I am now a little concerned as it only 8ft from our house.
thanks in advance ☺️

Posts

  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    Root spread will depend on how big the hedge plants get. Never heard of hawthorn having particularly invasive roots and on digging them up at times they seem fairly close in size to the above ground parts of the plant. At the height you are planning to keep the hedge I don't think there will be any issue for your house. House foundations are usually made from concrete which is not something roots will normally grow through. Are the house foundations or walls showing any signs of cracking or do you have leaking pipes near the hedge? If not I don't see how you would have a problem.

    Happy gardening!
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You should be fine keeping at that height but make sure you control the width too. 

    Applying an annual spring feed around the roots and a mulch in autumn - after decent rainfall, will mean the roots don't have to spread far to find nutrients and water.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • wrighta2499629wrighta2499629 Posts: 2
    Thanks for the reply’s, no sign of any damage but the hedge has only been in 3 years so is still pretty young. Just concerned about how big the roots may grow 
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    edited December 2023
    Even big hawthorns have a limited root spread. I say this having seen two go over , one a couple of years ago and one on xmas day. Both of them would be 30 to 50 years old.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't be worried about hawthorn near buildings of any kind. It just grows without any help, but it also behaves well   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    As it's a hedge and made up of small plants, you really don't need to be worried.
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