Planting beech hedges: step-by-step

Virginia
Virginia
Virginia
Virginia

I study plant biotechnology and often find myself confronted with the serious consequences that lack of knowledge and misinformation can have for nature. That is why I am so passionate about bringing people and nature closer together again.

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In order for beech hedges to develop into an elegant screen, it is not only important to care for them properly. Even the process of planting beech hedges is crucial.

Common beech hedge atop a wall
If the site is well chosen, common beeches are fast-growing when young [Photo: Wiert nieuman/ Shutterstock.com]

Copper beeches (Fagus sylvatica), which are native to our area, or known simply as beeches, are excellent for hedge planting. They do not make many demands on the site, are adapted to our climate and do not lose their visual density even in winter. We accompany you from the purchase of plants, through planning and planting, to the subsequent care, so that this green pearl will also develop into a magnificent hedge in your garden.

1. Choosing the right time to plant the beech hedge

The ideal time to plant your new hedge greenery is on a windless, overcast day in late winter to early spring. The soil should not be too wet, nor frozen.

2. Note planting distance in the beech hedge and calculate the number of plants needed.

Row planting involves planting between two and four seedlings per metre. Accordingly, for a length of 6 metres you will need between 12 and 24 plants. Planting is often done in a staggered double row. This way, your hedge will quickly grow into a durable privacy and windbreak. In this case, when using baled goods, five to seven plants are planted per metre. Container goods need a little more space. Here, four to six plants per metre is enough. Also, make sure to keep a minimum distance of 50 cm from the property line or walls, because the roots are very strong and like to crack asphalt and lift pavement slabs.

Red and green leaves of the common beech hedge
Common beech hedges can be a real eye-catcher in the garden [Photo: Josie Elias/ Shutterstock.com]

3. Select good and healthy plants for the beech hedge

Do not be surprised if baled goods look more dead than alive when purchased or delivered. Healthy plants nevertheless sprout quite quickly after planting. Plants, whether balled or containerised, should not have any injuries and have a height of at least 60 cm. In the case of mail-order plants, particular attention should be paid to the packaging, because bare-root plants in particular are sensitive to frost and drought and should be transported accordingly. Until planting, the plants are kept moist and remain in their packaging or pot. The young plants are delicate and are kept in a protected and frost-free, but not heated place. Baled goods should be put into the ground as soon as possible, while container goods can be stored for longer.

4. Preparing planting holes for the beech hedge

Beech trees need nice loose, nutrient–rich soil. Therefore, before planting, you need to prepare the soil. This is done in the previous fall, because at planting time the soil is still very hard due to the cold winter temperatures. Proceed as follows:

  • Dig up the area to be planted to three times the depth of the root ball
  • Mix into the soil mature manure or compost

Before planting, all weeds are removed so that the seedlings do not have to compete with them. Then it is time to dig the planting holes. The planting hole is dug two to four times as wide as the root ball and slightly deeper than the root ball is high. Alternatively, you can dig a trench. In the middle, the earth is piled slightly. You can also add a dose of slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food, to the planting hole to provide the beech hedge with optimal nutrients from the start.

Note: Stretch a plumbline to dig the planting holes to make sure your hedge will be straight.

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All Purpose Plant Food, 1.5kg
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5. Place beech hedge plants in the hole at a suitable depth

Baled goods must first be watered for several hours. To do this, the roots are placed in a pot with water. However, do not put the plants in the water overnight. This might be too long, causing the roots to start moulding. After that, injured roots are removed and the plants are placed on the mound in the centre of the planting hole. The roots are placed very carefully around the mount. This is more in line with their natural growth, so injuries are avoided. The surface of the root ball is flush with the soil surface.

Green leaves of the common beech
Common beech hedges are very site-tolerant [Photo: Andreas Krumwiede/ Shutterstock.com]

6. Fill planting hole with soil

The planting hole is filled with soil so that all the roots are covered. When doing this, make sure that the soil is not piled up in the root area. The plants cannot tolerate this and may even die in the medium term. After filling, the soil is pressed on. It is best to erect a watering edge, which is also pressed in.

7. Watering beech hedge properly after planting

The watering rim is especially useful when watering. It is filled with water, which can then calmly seep into the ground in the right place. Watering is important not just because the plants are not yet rooted, and therefore have poorer access to water in the soil. It is mainly to make air bubbles disappear from the soil and allow it to settle.

8. Planting beech hegdes: aftercare

After planting, spread a thick layer of mulch, mature manure, grass clippings or leaves in the root zone. Protective cover for the trunk protects the young tree from wind and pests. It is best to use a spiral plastic tree guard. This grows with the trunk.

Everything important about fertilising beech hedges, as well as pruning beech hedges can be found in the appropriate special articles.

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