Beech hedges must be trimmed regularly so that they provide good privacy. Here you will find everything you need to know about trimming beech hedges.
Especially young European beeches (Fagus sylvatica) are fast-growing. Regular pruning is therefore immensely important for the growth of a beautiful, dense beech hedge. If the growth is not kept in check, there will soon not be enough light on the lower branches and your hedge will be bare from below. The cut ensures sufficient light and wonderfully branched shoots. We will show you when and how to cut your beech.
How much does a beech hedge grow in a year?
Beech trees can grow by 40 to 70 cm a year when they are young. The dimensions apply to both height and width. However, the plants must be in the right location and well cared for. You can find out how to tease out the maximum growth strength from your beech hedge in our overview article on beech trees.
Beech hedge: When to cut?
Pruning shears are used twice a year to keep the growth under control and to generate a nice, bushy growth. The first cut takes place before the growth phase in February to March. The milder the winter, the sooner it is cut back. The ideal time for the second cut is between June and August at the end of the growth phase. Remember to remove diseased and injured shoots year-round. This prevents diseases from spreading and energy is not wasted unnecessarily on the injured shoots. It is best to trim your beech hedge on a mild, overcast and dry day.
Beech hedge: how to cut it correctly?
In the first two years, long protruding shoots are shortened with sharp, clean secateurs and the tips of shorter shoots are removed. From year number three, the type of cut differs from the first to the second cut. The first cut involves pruning back more and shaping the hedge. It is cut so that the hedgetapering from base to apex, forming a flat roof. This way, all places get enough light and in winter the risk of snow breakage is minimized. Use plumbing lines to mark desired height and shape. You'll be more annoyed by a crooked hedge than by the time you put into tightening the cords. Also, don't let your hedge grow too high, because if you have to climb up to cut, you can also fall down. The second cut is only recut once. Be very careful when doing this, because beech hedges are very popular with native birds as nesting sites. Keep a sufficient distance from discovered nests or wait until the end of June to cut. Then the little birds should have fledged. Thorough watering after each cut.
Note: If newly planted beech trees are shortened by a third in the first autumn after planting, this promotes beautiful bushy growth.
Radically cut back beech hedges
Especially older beech trees are very tolerant of pruning and can be pruned back radically if necessary to rejuvenate the hedge. This radical pruning occurs in February or March and is only necessary every few years. Very old branches are removed and the inside of the hedge is thinned out so that there is room for new shoots. Alternatively, the entire hedge can simply be cut back down to the old wood. Only three eyes remain so that new shoots can form.
These products are ideal for trimming your shrubs, hedges and trees:
- Felco Secateurs: Top-of-the-line manual pruning shears, pruning shears, recommended for all types of pruning. In addition to plastic-coated handles, it has a precision adjustment system for the blade and anvil.
- Felco Fruit Tree and Pruning Shears: Heavy duty fruit tree and pruning shears with wire cutter, sap groove and micrometer adjustment.
- Gardena telescopic arm scissors: Practical secateurs for effortlessly cutting tall trees and dense bushes from the ground.
Felco Orchard And Secateurs No 6€31.99Details →
GARDENA Telescope StarCut 410 plus€84.45Details →
Pruning is not the only care measure that makes sense for beech hedges. A few doses of fertilizer are importantto provide the hedge with all the important nutrients. Here you will find everything you need to know about fertilizing beech hedges.