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Which Hedge
weabra
Posts: 3
I have honey disease in parts of my front hedge and it has killed off sections of it. I have to replace it and have decided to take out the complete front hedge which also includes both of my gates, but do not know which hedge to buy. I want one which is already around 2mtrs tall for continued privacy should I replant Laurel or Leylandii?
0
Posts
It is recommended that after an incidence of honey fungus you shouldn't replant for at least 12 months and when you do, not to use susceptible species, but to instead choose something with some resistance to the disease.
Cupressus of all kinds, including Leylandii, is very much prone to honey fungus as is Laurel, so I wouldn't advise replanting with those.
See the RHS list of susceptible and resistant plants
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/honey-fungus-host-list.pdf
pbff is correct. Any area contaminated with honey fungus shouldn't be planted with any form of susceptible tree or plant for a long time as it can linger amidst the soil for a year or more, even several years in ideal conditions.
Many conventional hedge plants especially Leylandii should be ruled out and as yours have already been destroyed. The same applies to Laurels and Privets. Is there any chance you could erect a fence to provide a screen and plant some more resistant evergreen hedge plants such as Buxus (Box... but very slow growing) or Aucuba japonica (Spotted Laurel... incredibly hardy).
Tall specimens may cost an arm and a leg though
Thank you both for your prompt responses. I have found your information invaluable as I had no idea that honey fungus could linger so long. I will research further and may also consider the fencing idea.
Cannot thank you both enough you may have saved me a great deal of time and money by setting me on the correct path to solving my problem.
No Mike, I didn't think that this could be an option. How deep and wide would I have to excavate?
Is there not a risk that honey fungus in the surrounding soil would reinfect it?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.