Red beech hedge: expert tips for planting and caring for it

Beech trees are classic hedge plants and look a bit more elegant than hornbeams. Our expert tips will help to keep them in shape as a hedge.

The red beech (Fagus sylvatica) is colloquially called just beech, because it is the only one Fagus-Beech species in Central Europe. At 15%, it is the most common deciduous tree in German forests. But a beech is not only good as a mighty tree, with the right pruning and a little care, it can also be transformed into a wind-resistant and undemanding hedge. Even in winter, the deciduous tree offers good privacy, because most varieties only lose their autumn leaves in spring. That is why beech trees are the ultimate hedge plants, especially for supporters of native flora.

Buy beech and beech hedges

Seedlings for your new property boundary or the long-awaited windbreak are available in the garden center, in the tree nursery or can be purchased online. But the choice is not just limited to the selection of the most beautiful variety for you. It must also be considered whether container or bale goods should end up in the ground.

How much does the red beech hedge grow and how big can it get?

If the location is well chosen, red beeches grow quickly when they are young. Up to a young age of 50 years, a growth in height and width of 40 to 70 cm per year is achieved. Between April and May the beech has a real growth spurt. The shoots then hang a little limp towards the ground. However, this subsides as the lignin formation progresses over the course of the year. The beech also owes its name to the reddish color of the young shoots. If the beech is not trimmed to form a hedge, the trees can reach heights of up to 30 metres. The trunk reaches a circumference of up to two meters.

Red beech hedge: healthy plants

When bought, bale goods usually look more like a dead stick than the beginning of a magnificent hedge. However, if the plants are healthy, they will bud vigorously in the same year. When unpacking the plant, make sure that there are no visible injuries. This also applies to container goods. In addition, the plants should have a size of at least 60 cm when you buy them.

Buying a beech hedge: bales or container plants?

Bale goods are cheaper, but must be planted directly in the ground after purchase. Container goods in pots are more expensive and heavier, but the plants do not have to be planted immediately. Both variants are equally good for growing. Anyone who can get their hedge into the ground in a weekend saves money with bare-root plants. Containerware is more suitable for those who want to take their time.

Plant beech hedges

There is not much to consider when choosing the location of your hedge. Find a sunny to partially shaded spot. Young beech trees in particular are relatively shade-tolerant. Wind is also well tolerated after growth, which is why the hedges can serve as wonderful windbreaks. When it comes to the soil, it should be noted that clay soils are not well tolerated due to the increased risk of waterlogging. Deep, nutrient-rich, permeable sandy to loamy soils are preferred. The plants are very compatible with the pH of the soil. Whether acidic or alkaline, the common beech thrives.

When is the red beech hedge planted?

Planting time for beech trees is late winter to early spring. So that the seedlings feel completely comfortable, the planting should take place on an overcast and windless day. In addition, the ground should not be too wet and definitely not frozen.

Procedure for planting the beech hedge

A good preparation of the soil is particularly important here. This preparation is best done in the fall. Otherwise you have to dig your way through the hard winter soil. Loosen up the entire area intended for the later hedge by digging up to three times the depth of the root ball. After that, the earth is mixed with mature manure or compost. This improves permeability and soil quality. When planting later, proceed as follows:

• Balls: Soak the roots in water for several hours before planting
• Removal of all weeds in the planting area
• Tension a guide line so that the hedge is straight
• Planting hole/ditch: 2-4 times as wide as the root ball and shallow; lightly pile the soil in the middle
• Remove any injured root with clean and sharp secateurs
• place seedlings on the elevation in the planting hole; Carefully place roots on the sides
• Fill the planting hole with soil so that all the roots are covered and press down
• Lay on the pouring edge and press on

The accumulation of soil in the root area must be avoided at all costs.

tip: If you are struggling with very poor soil, you can also use a high quality organic soil like ours Plantura organic universal soil use for planting your red beech hedge.

Red beech hedge: the right planting distance 

Uncut, the crown can shade an area of ​​up to 600 m². Planted in a hedge, the sapling won't grow nearly as wide. When planting in rows, two to four plants are planted per meter. A staggered double row can also be created so that the hedge grows nice and dense. The following applies here:

• Ball goods: 5 - 7 plants per meter
• Container goods: 4 - 6 plants per meter

At first this sounds like a decent scramble in later times, but you have to assume that not every seedling will make it through. The resulting gaps are then closed by the surrounding seedlings and provide the necessary space. However, it is not only important to pay attention to the planting distance to neighboring plants. Keep at least the legally prescribed distance of 50 cm to the property line or to walls. Although the hedge around the top is easy to keep in check, the roots like to burst the asphalt or lift up the pavement slabs.

Water and mulch the beech hedge after planting

After planting, it is watered vigorously. Fill up the pouring rim and let the water seep away. This will remove air bubbles and allow the soil to settle. Finally, a good layer of mulch, lawn clippings, leaves or mature manure ends up on the root area. This layer insulates, protects against evaporation and keeps unwanted weeds at bay. Since the seedlings are still very sensitive, a protective cover for the trunk is recommended. This protects the young building from wind and pests. Spiral tree guards made of plastic, which expand as the tree grows, work best.

More information and tips about Planting beech hedges you'll find here.

Caring for beech hedges properly

Beech trees are the ideal hedges for garden beginners because they do not require much care. Neither constant fertilizing and watering, nor winter protection are required once the plants have established themselves.

Water and fertilize the beech hedge properly

Your hedge is dependent on additional watering, especially in the first two years. This is only necessary when the soil around the trunk is dry. When watering, remember that beech trees do not tolerate waterlogging or longer periods of drought. Fertilize once a year with long-term fertilizer, compost, lawn clippings or horn shavings. Alternatively, liquid fertilizer is regularly added to the irrigation water during the growth phase. Be sure to use a mostly organic fertilizer. This has a depot effect and is much more environmentally friendly than the mineral alternative. Ours too Plantura organic universal fertilizer is such a primarily organic long-term fertilizer. It can already be put into the planting hole when planting the beech hedge and is applied in spring in the following years. More details on the right one Fertilizing (red) beech hedges you'll find here.

A tip for opponents of leaf raking: If you leave the leaves under the hedge, weed growth will be inhibited - double the workload. In addition, the layer of foliage serves as an additional source of nutrients for the trees and as protection in winter.

Red beech hedge in winter

The common beech is a deciduous tree that is native to us and copes excellently with our winters. In autumn, the leaves shine in the typical autumn colors until they have reached their final brown phase. With many varieties, the leaves are only shed in the spring, so the hedge also offers good privacy protection in winter. Of course, our privacy is not the reason for keeping the sheets. They serve as additional protection, because the trees tend to develop sunburn. Therefore, protect young, deciduous trees with burlap or sticks. The plants have no problem with the temperatures. They are hardy down to -30 °C. Well-established hedges therefore do not need additional winter protection. A protective layer of mulch is applied to young hedges. This protects against evaporation, which becomes much more of a problem than the frosty temperatures. In addition, additional watering is carried out on frost-free, dry days if necessary.

Cut and shorten the beech hedge

Beech trees grow very quickly, especially when they are young. Regular pruning is essential so that your hedge does not grow too much over your head and you generate nice branching.

Red beech hedge: when to cut?

For optimal hedge growth, it is cut back twice a year. The first cut takes place on a frost-free, dry and overcast day in March - before the first growth spurt of the beech. After a mild winter, pruning begins as early as February. Between June and August, scissors are used a second time. This gives new shoots enough time to mature before the first frost. Diseased and damaged shoots are removed year-round.

Red beech hedge: how hard to cut?

You don't have to be squeamish with a red beech hedge. A strong pruning ensures a nice dense growth. However, this stronger pruning should be reserved for the first cut. How exactly the skillful Cutting a beech hedge You can find out here what has to look like and what needs to be considered when shaping. The second cut only moderately thins out and removes unwanted side shoots. Otherwise you get into the enclosure of breeding birds. If you want to give the native bird families some rest, move the second cut to a time after the breeding season or cut back very carefully. The breeding season usually ends at the end of June.

Shorten the red beech hedge radically

Radical pruning is well tolerated in older specimens and should be done every few years. During the rejuvenation cut, very old branches are removed and the hedge is thinned out on the inside. All shoots can also be shortened down to the old wood. Leave at least three eyes so that new shoots form. The rejuvenation serves to make room for new shoots and takes place in February or March.

In autumn you can see large amounts of on the ground beechnuts Find. We introduce you to the fruit of the common beech in this article.