Hornbeams are real trees, but they can be grown wonderfully as hedges. Hornbeam hedges can be cut very narrow, so they require little space. The distance that must be maintained within the hedge and to the neighbor plays an important role.
What distance should you keep from hornbeam hedges?
The ideal planting distance for hornbeam hedges is 50 centimeters within the hedge. A distance of 50 to 100 centimeters should be maintained from buildings. When it comes to the distance to neighboring properties, municipal regulations apply and should be requested from the municipality.
The correct planting distance in the hedge
In a well-established hornbeam hedge, the ideal planting distance is 50 centimeters, which means: two plants per linear meter.
- Planting distance in the hedge: 50 centimeters
- Distance to buildings: 50 to 100 centimeters
- Distance to neighboring properties: observe municipal regulations
Some gardeners plant three or more hornbeams per meter in order to thicken the hedge more quickly. Later, the excess hornbeam trees have to be cut out again, otherwise the plants will put too much strain on each other.
What distance must be maintained from buildings?
Unlike the common beech, the hornbeam, which belongs to the birch family, has deep roots. The roots do not run close to the surface. So there is little risk of them lifting floor slabs, damaging masonry or denting supply lines.
You can therefore place a hornbeam hedge close to a wall or sidewalk. But keep enough distance so that you can trim and maintain the hedge from behind.
A distance from walls and fences of 50 centimeters is generally sufficient.
Plant hornbeam hedges right next to the fence
If you want your garden to be particularly dense because you have your own animals or want to drive rabbits out of your garden, you can also plant a hornbeam hedge without any distance in front of a metal fence.
The fence will grow into the hedge within a few years. Of course, you can also use the fence as a hedge border and regularly remove the protruding shoots.
However, care is a little more difficult if you want to rejuvenate the hornbeam hedge. Shortening unbranched shoots is more complicated. You have to carry out this work regularly, otherwise the hornbeam hedge will become bare at the bottom and no longer be nicely dense.
Tip
The required distance from hedges such as the hornbeam hedge is regulated in the municipal regulations. If you are unsure, check with the municipality before planting what planting distance should be maintained from neighboring properties or local sidewalks.
