Hi, can anyone advise on the best approach with our copper beech hedge.

It was planted three years ago and has not reached it's full intended
height. During this summer the highest straggly shoots did get to nearly
the intended height.

Question is should we leave the hedge to develop, just cutting anything that
has gone outside the intended shape, or should we cut back again quite
severely (a third of height) to encourage further bushing out?

Thanks,

M.

In article ,
McBad wrote:
Hi, can anyone advise on the best approach with our copper beech hedge.

It was planted three years ago and has not reached it's full intended
height. During this summer the highest straggly shoots did get to nearly
the intended height.

Question is should we leave the hedge to develop, just cutting anything that
has gone outside the intended shape, or should we cut back again quite
severely (a third of height) to encourage further bushing out?

My advice is the latter.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

"Peter Stockdale" wrote in message
...

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...
In article ,
McBad wrote:
Hi, can anyone advise on the best approach with our copper beech hedge.

It was planted three years ago and has not reached it's full intended
height. During this summer the highest straggly shoots did get to
nearly
the intended height.

Question is should we leave the hedge to develop, just cutting anything
that
has gone outside the intended shape, or should we cut back again quite
severely (a third of height) to encourage further bushing out?

My advice is the latter.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Nick is correct - a beech hedge should only be allowed to increase width
and
height by max. 6 ins p.a. to retain body. The less height and width
increase
permitted each year - the better the hedge will be. It's not just a matter
of cutting back by a third of the height.

Pete



Thanks both. Will cut it back a bit further over the next couple of weeks
to allow 6" on last years position. We're in no hurry with this one and are
looking for a good end result.

Cheers,

M.

"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...
In article ,
McBad wrote:
Hi, can anyone advise on the best approach with our copper beech hedge.

It was planted three years ago and has not reached it's full intended
height. During this summer the highest straggly shoots did get to nearly
the intended height.

Question is should we leave the hedge to develop, just cutting anything
that
has gone outside the intended shape, or should we cut back again quite
severely (a third of height) to encourage further bushing out?

My advice is the latter.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.

Nick is correct - a beech hedge should only be allowed to increase width and
height by max. 6 ins p.a. to retain body. The less height and width increase
permitted each year - the better the hedge will be. It's not just a matter
of cutting back by a third of the height.

Pete

"McBad" wrote in message
...
Hi, can anyone advise on the best approach with our copper beech
hedge.

It was planted three years ago and has not reached it's full
intended
height. During this summer the highest straggly shoots did get to
nearly
the intended height.

Question is should we leave the hedge to develop, just cutting
anything that
has gone outside the intended shape, or should we cut back again
quite
severely (a third of height) to encourage further bushing out?

Annually reduce each year's new growth to aout a third of its length.
That way the hedge takes a little longer to reach the intended height,
but is will be bushier.

Franz