Please help me identify/improve this hedge...

[Deleted2797112]

Nothing to do with being in a conservation area, these are the standard restrictions placed on new builds.

I think I already said that.

 

[r896neo]

It looks more like a hornbeam. Both it and beech can be hard to establish well and truely need watering for the whole first year.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Nothing to do with being in a conservation area, these are the standard restrictions placed on new builds.

I think I already said that.

Err you brought the subject of conservation areas into the affray, no one else.

 

[munchingB]

dont water your beech too much as they do not like wet feet!

unless your soil is very free draining of course..

 

[garmcqui]

So since my last post in August I've been watering the hedge every few days during the dry weather, but being mindful not to keep it too wet.

However, I still don't think it's growing well. Here are a few pics taken today (11th October)...

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• garmcqui
• 11 Oct 2014
• 1

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• garmcqui
• 11 Oct 2014
• 1

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• garmcqui
• 11 Oct 2014
• 1

I'm wondering whether to prune the tops off the hedge, in an attempt to try and force it to grow thicker lower down. I don't really want the hedge much over 2 feet high, or else it will start to block light from the windows.

Is it too late now to prune it down a bit?

Also, I've searched online and everywhere recommends 3-7 plants per metre for a hornbeam hedge, which I don't think the builders have done here - if it doesn't establish well, should I be getting them to replace it?

Thanks

 

[wkdhd]

I wouldn't water it too much. With a lot of plants that can encourage the roots to stay near the surface and require constant attention to stop them getting stressed in dry weather, you want the roots to go down.

 

[garmcqui]

Ok, thanks. Now it's getting a bit wetter I'll stop watering it.

So is it too late to prune it? Should I apply a fertiliser?

 

[EddieM]

Ok, thanks. Now it's getting a bit wetter I'll stop watering it.

So is it too late to prune it? Should I apply a fertiliser?

No, neither.

 

[r896neo]

with bare root plants they are grown very tight together in sand and so tend to be tall with very little growth down low. You will find though that when they start gowing well they'll start shooting from buds on the main stem.

Prune it now if you like but fertilise is in spring.

 

[geraldthehamster]

However, I still don't think it's growing well. Here are a few pics taken today (11th October)...

And what exactly did you expect a deciduous beech hedge to be doing in October?

I'm wondering whether to prune the tops off the hedge, in an attempt to try and force it to grow thicker lower down. I don't really want the hedge much over 2 feet high, or else it will start to block light from the windows.

Is it too late now to prune it down a bit?

I would consider cutting it back to about half its height, maybe leave it another month till it's properly dormant. The plants do look as if they've been allowed to get a bit long and straggly, so cutting back should help promote next year's growth in a more bushy fashion.

Cheers
Richard