Red beech hedge ∗ The big guide from A to Z

Characteristics

• Scientific name: Fagus sylvatica
• Family: beech family (Fagaceae)
• Growth type: deciduous tree or shrub
• Occurrence: Europe
• Growth: 20-70 cm per year
• Growth form: bushy
• Leaves: deciduous, ovate
• Flower: simple, inconspicuous
• Flowering time: March/April to May/June
• Fruit: beechnuts
• Roots: heart roots
• Use: hedge plants

growth per year

Beech trees are the ideal hedge plants for wind and privacy protection within a short period of time. When young, deciduous shrubs grow rapidly. Older trees take it easy. This annual increase can be expected if the framework conditions are right:

• Growth per year after planting: 40 cm to 70 cm
• Growth per year after 30 to 50 years: 20 cm to 40 cm

Rapid growth of beech hedges is just one of their numerous advantages. The following video explains why native trees and shrubs as a hedge in a natural garden are always a good decision:

Native hedge plants - treasury for birds, insects

Sheet

The name copper beech does not refer to the color of the leaves, but to the reddish wood. You can find the variety in nurseries or garden centers for cultivation as hedge plants with red leaves copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea). The following features shape the beech leaf of the original species:

• color: Fresh green shoots, glossy dark green above in summer, light green below
• special feature: silky hairy young leaves
• autumn coloring: reddish-yellow to red-orange
• shape: stalked, ovate, acuminate
• size: 7 cm to 10 cm long, 5 cm wide

After the autumn colours, the leaves dry up, turn brown-red and remain on the branches until spring. In this way, one beech hedge for year-round protection.

heyday

The common beech thrives as a monoecious tree. Male and female flowers can therefore be admired in a corolla.

• Flowering time: March/April to May/June at the same time as the leaves sprout
• Worth knowing: first flowering period at the age of 30 to 50 years at the earliest
• Male flowers: green pendulous clusters, 3 cm to 5 cm long
• Female flowers: greenish with pink stigmas, erect

As trimmed hedge plants, beeches usually do not bear any beechnuts as fruits.

root

The common beech develops a system of roots that grow diagonally downwards and laterally in all directions. In cross-section, the hemispherical root system is reminiscent of a heart. When planting heart-root trees, it should be noted that side roots may lift adjacent paving. The weak-growing root strands cannot penetrate properly laid supply pipes.

Furthermore, a pronounced susceptibility to heaps of earth in the root area is characteristic of a beech hedge. Already a mulch layer of more than 10 centimeters on the tree disc can cause the trees to die off.

digression

Common Beech Hornbeam Differences

Plant beech hedges

In this section you will read useful tips on the four big questions about the expert planting of a copper beech hedge: When? - Where? – What distance? - As?

planting time

The quality of the plants not only determines the price of a red beech hedge, but also the planting time. You can get a bare-root Heister with a growth height of 80 cm to 120 cm in the tree nursery from a reasonable 1.50 euros. In return, a limited planting time has to be accepted:

• Plant bare-root trees: September to March
• Plant container goods: all year round, but not during frost or dry periods

Location

A beech hedge thrives in almost any location:

• Sun, penumbra or shadow
• normal garden floor
• Preferably in fresh to moist, nutrient-rich soil

Soils with an acidic pH value, waterlogging or sandy-dry soil are not suitable.

planting distance

The correct planting distance is one of the key functions for the successful planting of a beech hedge. The following table provides an overview:

For hedge plants in small containers, you can set the planting distance slightly larger. With a growth height of 60 cm to 80 cm, you can get by with 3 to 4 plants per meter.

Planting – Tips & Tricks

A few hours before planting, place the roots or root balls of young beech trees in water. In the meantime, measure the planting trench and mark the course with strings stretched out. This approach is more effective than planting in individual holes. A helping hand is recommended for straightening the bushes. A look at more tips & tricks is worthwhile:

• Cut back the root tuft from bare-rooted goods by half and thin it out.
• In the case of container goods, lightly scratch the root ball.
• One in the planting ditch soil activator sprinkle
• Enrich the excavation to a third with compost and horn shavings.(€9.00 at Amazon*)
• Plant trees at the correct planting distance next to the ditch.
• Plant beech trees without touching the roots.
• Important: plant just as deep as before in the tree nursery (recognizable by the soil markings on the shoots).
• Press the soil down well and cover it with plenty of water without causing waterlogging.

Bargain foxes do not buy heister or container plants in the nursery, but propagate beech from cuttings. Preferably to cut Take the cuttings in summer when beech hedges are trimmed anyway. In a partially shaded propagation bed or in a seed pot, cultivate the cuttings up to a height of 30 cm to 40 cm suitable for planting.

Maintain beech hedge

regular watering, Fertilize and cutting are the main pillars in the care program of a red beech hedge. You can read useful tips in the following sections:

Pour

Drought stress is the most common cause when a copper beech hedge does not grow. So that the newly planted beech hedge does not dry out, water whenever the soil in the root area feels dry in the first few weeks and months. If the trees have firmly rooted themselves in the ground, the normal rainfall covers the water requirement.

Fertilize

The nutrient supply of a red beech hedge is simple. In the spring sprinkle a few handfuls horn shavings(€9.00 at Amazon*) on the root area. Alternatively, distribute 2 to 3 liters compost soil per square meter. For once, do not rake in the organic fertilizer to avoid damaging the shallow roots in the topsoil. Instead, sprinkle the root discs with a watering can or garden hose.

To cut

Fast-growing beech trees are perfectly tolerant of pruning. You should cut a young red beech hedge twice a year. Then the trees do not become bare below, but branch out densely bushy from the base to the crown. an older one beech hedge Gets by with one pruning a year for a well-groomed appearance. The following overview summarizes everything important for perfect hair care:

• when to cut At the end of June/beginning of July, cut young beech hedges again in winter until the end of February.
• how to cut Cut back annual growth by half.
• Pay attention to what? hedge trimmer(€23.00 at Amazon*) lead from the bottom up and cut the hedge in a trapezoidal shape (narrow crown, wide base).
• What is important? Before each pruning, check the hedge for wild animals and cut later if necessary.

Have you prescribed a rejuvenation pruning for an aging beech hedge? Then the time window is open from November to February. Divide the radical pruning into two stages. In the first winter, cut one long side and one flank. Next winter, focus on the other side of the hedge and flank.

diseases and pests

You will not have to complain about diseases on your red beech hedge. Lice sometimes cause problems, especially the beech aphid (Phyllaphis fagi). As a rule, birds make short work of the beasts. In hot, dry summer weather, mass infestations with the pests can occur. In this case, spray the beech hedge repeatedly with the proven soap and alcohol solution.

Popular Varieties

In a beech hedge, color comes into play when you combine different varieties from the nursery with the original species:

• Copper Beech 'Purpurea': deep red shoots, later red-green leaves; requires free root area for optimal growth.
• Dwarf Beech 'Asterix': nice for the small beech hedge with a height and width of 100 cm to 125 cm.
• European beech 'Tricolor': Rarity with black-red, pink-edged leaves and yellow-brown autumn colour.

FAQ

Can you plant a red beech hedge in summer?

Yes, you can plant a red beech hedge in summer. At this time of year, the tree nursery offers pre-grown trees and shrubs in small containers. Soak the potted root balls in water for a few hours. Slightly scratch the potted, soaked root balls before planting. To ensure that the young beech hedge does not dry out after summer planting, water regularly in the early morning or in the evening.

How is a red beech hedge cut in winter?

Winter is the best time to prune a beech hedge vigorously. In contrast to the summer pruning, the Federal Nature Conservation Act allows radical pruning measures between the beginning of November and the end of February that go beyond this year's growth. The good-natured pruning tolerance of beech trees also allows them to be pruned back into old wood in light frost down to -5° Celsius.

Red beech hedge or hornbeam hedge - what is the difference?

European beeches (Fagus sylvatica) used as hedge plants have shiny green leaves in summer, which dry up after the autumn colors but do not fall off. In contrast, hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) belong to the birch family (Betulaceae) and shed their summer green leaves after they turn yellow in autumn. Furthermore, a red beech hedge does not tolerate any landfill or intensive tillage in the root area. A hornbeam hedge will not take it amiss if you are strong mulch or rake.