Planting beech hedge correctly: Instructions in 8 steps

In order for beech hedges to develop into a noble privacy screen, it is not only important to take the right care. Even the process of planting is crucial.

The beeches native to us (Fagus sylvatica) or also just called beeches, are ideal as hedge planting. They do not have a lot of demands on the location, are adapted to our climate and do not lose their opacity even in winter. We accompany you from the purchase of plants, through the planning and planting to the subsequent care, so that this green pearl of our homeland can also develop into a magnificent hedge in your garden can.

1. Choose the right time to plant the beech hedge

The ideal time to plant your new hedge green is a windless and overcast day in late winter to early spring. The ground should not be too wet or frozen.

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

With row planting, between two and four seedlings are planted per meter. With a length of 6 meters, between 12 and 24 plants are required. The planting is often done in a staggered double row. In this way, your hedge quickly grows into permanent privacy and wind protection. When using balled goods, five to seven plants are planted per meter. Container goods need a little more space. Here four to six plants per meter are sufficient. Also make sure that there is a minimum distance of 50 cm to the property line or to walls, because the roots are very strong and like to blast asphalt and lift pavement slabs.

3. Choose good and healthy plants for the beech hedge

Don't be surprised if bale goods look more dead than alive when purchased or delivered. Nevertheless, healthy plants spring very quickly after planting. The plants, regardless of whether they are bales or containers, should not show any damage and should be at least 60 cm high. In the case of plants from the mail order business, special attention must be paid to the packaging, because bare-rooted plants Plants are sensitive to frost and drought and should be transported accordingly will. The plants are kept moist until they are planted and remain in the packaging or in their pot. The young plants are sensitive and are kept in a protected and frost-free, but not heated, place. Bale goods should get into the ground as quickly as possible, while container goods can be stored longer.

4. Prepare planting holes for the beech hedge

Beech trees need loose, nutrient-rich soil. Therefore, before planting, the soil must be prepared. This happens the previous autumn, because at the time of planting 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 in ripe manure or compost into the soil

Before planting, all weeds are removed so that the seedlings do not have to compete with them. Then it comes to digging the planting holes. The planting hole is excavated two to four times as wide as the root ball and a little deeper than the root ball is high. Alternatively, a trench can be dug. In the middle, the earth is slightly piled up. You can also give a slow release fertilizer like ours into the planting hole Plantura organic universal fertilizer give the beech hedge an optimal supply of nutrients right from the start.

Note: When digging out the planting holes, stretch a guideline so that your hedge is really straight.

5. Place beech hedge plants in the hole at a suitable depth

Bale goods must first be soaked for several hours. The roots are put in a pot with water for this. But do not put the plants in water overnight. This could be too long and the roots will start to go moldy. Then injured roots are removed and the plants are placed on the pile in the middle of the planting hole. The roots are very carefully placed around the pile. This corresponds more to their natural growth, so that injuries are avoided. The surface of the root ball is flush with the surface of the earth.

6. Fill the planting hole with soil

The planting hole is filled with soil to such an extent that all roots are covered. Make sure that the soil is not piled up in the root area. The plants cannot tolerate this and can even die in the medium term. After filling, the soil is pressed down. It is best to set up a pouring rim that is also pressed down.

7. Water the beech hedge properly after planting

The pouring rim is particularly useful when pouring on. It is filled with water, which can then drain into the ground in the right place. Watering is not only important because the plants are not yet rooted and therefore have poor access to the water in the ground. Its main purpose is to allow air bubbles to disappear from the earth and allow them to settle.

8. Properly care for the beech hedge after planting

After planting, a thick layer of much, mature manure, lawn clippings or leaves is spread in the root area. A protective cover for the trunk protects the young tree from wind and pests. It is best to use a spiral-shaped plastic tree guard. This grows with the trunk. Like yours European beech hedge Care after planting can be found here.

Everything important about the Fertilizing beech hedges, as well as for European beech hedge cut can be found in the appropriate special articles.