Beech hedges are also so popular because they require little care. The most important care measure is regular pruning to keep the hedge in shape. How to properly care for your beech hedge.
How do you properly care for a beech hedge?
To properly care for a beech hedge, you should cut it twice a year, in the spring before new growth and in the summer from the end of June. Young hedges require regular watering, while older ones are self-sufficient.
Is watering a beech hedge necessary?
Beech hedges cannot tolerate extreme drought or waterlogging. Young hedges in particular need to be watered regularly. This is usually no longer necessary later. Only in very dry times should you give older hedges some water to prevent them from drying out and turning brown.
Do beech hedges need fertilizer?
Fertilizing is only necessary for young hedges from the second year onwards. Older beech trees look after themselves.
Just leave the fallen leaves under the hedge. The leaves decompose and release many nutrients.
Can beech hedges be transplanted?
If you have a beech hedge that is still very young, you can give it a try. However, many of the trees will then die.
Older beech hedges can no longer be transplanted. They develop a wide root system that you cannot get out of the ground undamaged.
When is the best time to cut a beech hedge?
Beech hedges should ideally be trimmed twice a year. The first cut is done in spring before new growth, the second in summer from the end of June.
Severe pruning is not permitted from March to September for bird protection reasons.
What diseases and pests can occur?
- Fungal diseases
- Beech mealybugs
- Spider mites
- Whitefly
Young beech hedges in particular are at risk from diseases and pests. Older, well-grown hedges usually cope well with an infestation.
Cut off diseased parts, collect the leaves and dispose of everything in the trash can.
Do beech hedges need special winter protection?
Beech trees are hardy down to minus 30 degrees. Winter protection is only recommended for very young, freshly planted beech hedges.
However, a layer of mulch ensures that the soil does not dry out even in very dry winters and that the soil remains nice and loose.
Tip
The beech leaves are a very good fertilizer for other plants too. Feel free to pick it up and spread it out under trees and bushes or the hedge itself. However, you may only use the leaves of he althy beech trees.
