Hedging plants in Ireland (size, spacing, flowers and fruit)

JK Mayo · Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 10:58 am Post subject: Wind break

Hi Folks,

Back again - unfortunately struggling to post pics - might be the file size. Will try again later in the week.

I think we have changed our minds again re the wind break hedge.

Any comments or opinions on the following:

Outside line (windward) - Row of Whitethorn every 50 cms
Middle line - Row of birch or similar, tree every 3 metres
Inside Line - (lee-side) - Row of hornbeam or evergreen hegding - every 50 cms.

Thoughts / ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks
JK

JK Mayo · Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2013 12:37 am Post subject: Final Hedge Decided upon

Hello Again,

its been awhile.
Still have not posted pics, but will try again this weekend.

Finally decided to go with Green Beech with Himalayan Birch growing through the hedge every 5 metres.

Will raise the area for the hedge with new top soil to improve drainage.

BTW - native/fruit mixed hedge is coming on very well. We even had a few rasberries, blackberries and black currants to pick and eat!!
Cheers for now
JK

JK Mayo · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:44 pm Post subject: Site for new Hedge

Here is where the beech hedge will go.
Himalayan Birch every 5 metres is also planned

Sive · Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:00 am Post subject:

Start a photo album, JK ! Put just one ( "before" ) photo on each set of pages, and leave the other pockets empty...then you can take photos from exactly the same viewpoint every few years as your garden develops.
For instance I decided to take photos every five years.
We started with a bare acre and the difference in a mere 5 years is astonishing. By year ten ( if I'm still here! ) it will be unrecognizable.
It is so encouraging to browse through the album and to realise all the hard work is more than worth it.

tippben · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:45 am Post subject:

Most important thing, First, kill off all grass/other weeds for a metre each side of the netting. Second, dig a proper trench, 1 metre wide. Save all the topsoil, then break up the subsoil. Add well rotted manure/compost (and mycorrhizal fungi/autumn leaves will really help), then put the topsoil back.

If the site is dry, use Beech. If not, use Hornbeam. 50cm is a good spacing, but do a staggered double row: 50cm between the rows, in the ridge you have created. Figure out how you are going to control grass, the worst weed of young hedges- glyphosate? A double layer of wetted cardboard held down with woodchips? I'd strongly recommend using plastic spiral guards or tree shelters for each plant.

I would double the distance between your birch trees, and if possible, plant them 3m in from the hedge, as single trees. This will make a better wind break. Remember that with all trees, to leave the root collar at ground level and no deeper.

JK Mayo · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:42 am Post subject: Beech hedge

Thank you both for your replies - great tips!!

I will start the photo diary straight away.

I have burned off all the old grass and weeds since the photos and we are raking the whole plot for sowing lawn this week - keeping the hedge area free of seed.

Once the lawn is finished I plan to prepare the hedge area for planting in November.

Thanks again for the helpful advice

sgmgarden · Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:28 pm Post subject:

I have just read through this from the beginning so I look forward to your photo diary Smile

member88 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Mar 2016 Posts: 10

So I have this awful farm fence (concrete and wire) sectioning off a huge area of wilderness.
I screened it with reed screening twice, as it has been shredded in the storms both years - despite 1000s of cable ties. It goes the whole width of the plot.
So the impossible task is -
It's around 4ft high, but I had the screening 5ft or so and would like a hedge at that roughly.
We park near it so I want something screened but not going to grow out 2 metres.
I do want something easily maintained that won't require more than one cut a year - but need something that is going to cover it up fast.... the big problem...
It's gotta be evergreen, I have gravel under it on one side and leaves will cause soil pockets and weeds (ie. even more weeds :-/)
Im on a tight budget, was thinking of bulk buying like 100 hedge plants or something like that but am i right in thinking they are like twigs when you get them - with no leaves and tiny?
Any suggestions for me?
I was looking at hedging.ie - there's a lot of different ones but I am lost as to what is best.
Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

tagwex · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 6:34 pm Post subject:

A good mixture of hedging plants so as you will have all year round interest.

member88 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 10 Mar 2016 Posts: 10

tagwex · Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:51 pm Post subject:

There is a place in Cork, I think it is called Future Forests. I have seen others on here raving about them. Apparently they do great hedging. The others will be along later tonight and confirm.

Sinabhuil · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2018 8:36 pm Post subject: Hawthorn Hedge

I want to plant a decorative hedge approx 3 ft tall and 2 foot wide in front of a post and rail fence. Will I be able to keep good shape on a hawthorn hedge. What other native species could I use. Question

ormondsview · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2019 5:44 am Post subject: barbary hedge

I've just bought bare root barbary for a long hedge to combat growth of saplings trees and berry bushes. It has to be dense enough to stave off the untidy look of a natural but messy look. Question is: will I chop it twice a year to thicken the growth? I've heard that 1/3 is the optimum for the 'look' of a tidy hedge. Or, should I leave it drape as some kinds of shrubs have more appeal if left be natural.
Downside of barbary is that it's very hard to get rid of with a root system made of iron. So it can be a nightmare if it gets too high to spoil the view.