Author |
Message |
toreilly Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 18
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:06 am Post subject: When to prune Beech? |
|
|
My beech hedge (about 2 years old / 5 ft) is very leggy. They have a tall leading stem that has no side shoots. Could anyone tell me when should I prune it back? Should I cut right down 2 foot to where the side shoots are?
Also, if you have any suggestions, by Hebes got a battering in the snow. They look completely dead, droopy and brown. Should I dig them up or can they take a hard pruning. I am not that attached to them, the are old and scraggly at the best of times!!
Thanks a mill for any input.
Toreilly |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
cut the beech hedge down very low as long as there are a few buds below the cut is all that matters, otherwise the beech will continue to grow in height and eventually become a tree. Beech is always pruned in the dormant season (November to April). The beech should have been cut back when it was initially planted so as to make it multi-stemmed rather than one single stem.
hebes are not so hardy and may appear badly shaped after the severe winter. They do not respond to severe pruning just a light cosmetic cut here and there.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired) _________________ michael brenock |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
toreilly Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 18
|
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks so much for the response
Michael. So glad you said to prune them I've been itching to get out to prune them. Tara |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|