A hedge is a popular privacy screen, precisely because the green changes throughout the year and therefore creates a varied picture. However, this change also requires good growth planning. While you can calculate exactly how to build a wooden fence, you may have questions about the spacing between plants when planting your hedge. Get help below.
What distance should you keep when planting a hedge?
The correct planting distance for hedges varies depending on the growth height of the plants: 30-40 cm growth height requires 4-5 plants per meter, 40-60 cm growth height requires 3-4 plants per meter, 60-100 cm growth height requires 2-3 Plants per meter and if the height is over 100 cm, 1-2 plants per meter.
Legal regulations
The selection of hedge plants is huge, but not unlimited. The responsible office often specifies what your hedge must be like. The most important thing is the height, so that there are no blind spots on corner properties, for example. Of course, you must also adhere to the generally applicable distance from the building boundary here.
The cut is crucial
If your hedge is primarily intended to provide privacy, you should take the cutting shape of the trees into account when planting. Rectangular, uniform bushes completely shield your property from the eyes of curious passers-by. It's different if, for example, you cut conifers into a pyramid or cone. In this case, a gap is created at the top that allows the view. A solution here would be to plant the individual elements staggered. However, this would influence the planting distance.
Rule of thumb
The plant cutting is always adapted to the distance and not the other way around.
The size of the bale as a guide
When determining the appropriate planting distance, not only the height and width of the plant are crucial. Also note the underground extent of the bale. Orientate yourself on the main and middle shoots of your shrub.
General guidelines
If you refer to the height of your hedge, the following guidelines apply:
30-40 cm growth height: 4-5 plants per meter
40-60 cm growth height: 3-4 plants per meter
60-100 cm growth height: 2-3 plants per meterlarger than 100 cm growth height: 1-2 plants per meter
Consequences of planting too densely
Of course, dense planting enables extremely quick privacy protection. However, there is then the risk that individual elements will not receive enough sunlight, will turn brown from the inside out and your hedge will ultimately die.
Help from a professional
If you are still unsure about the correct planting distance for your hedge, it is best to contact a tree nursery near you. Here you can get tailor-made hedge elements that have been calculated by experienced specialists. These fill any gaps without the risk of being too close or too wide.