Autumn is the time of year to plant trees in the garden. This includes garden hedges.

Why use these trees as a hedge (in Europe):

• The species is indigenous from Western Asia and throughout Europe.
• The leaves remain on the branches even after they dry, which makes for a useful hedge all year round.
• It looks very nice.
• Can also be used and turned into an arch.
• It needs little care, only 2 trimmings a year.
• Requires no watering, except for the first year and in case the trees are planted in more arid areas.
• Not expensive to buy, a few € per tree, depending on the size. For a length of 50 m in two rows cost us about 300 € altogether.
• It’s provides a good hiding area for birds.

Plant the young trees from October to mid November.

Depending in the size of plants, plant

• plants higher than 125 cm with root ball plant 60 cm apart.
• If the plants are lower and bare-root, plant with a 30-50 cm gap.

Care

When the plants take root, unbranched shoots should be shortened by quarter or third of the height for it to develop a denser hedge. Otherwise it will grow tall and not thicken.

In the first year water regularly 10-20 l/m² once or twice a month, depending on the weather.

In the first 3 years prune less, but more often, thus maintaining the shape and density.

Fertilise, first upon planting and then every spring for 3 years. Careful upon planting for the fertiliser not to directly touch the roots as it will hurt them. Later on fertilise only if the trees really need it, of they grow on poor soil.

Every year add compost in a thin layer, dig it in slightly. You can cover the compost layer with a thin layer of fresh soil.

After 3 years when the hedge becomes stronger, prune twice a year max. Prune in June and in February, prior to budding.

Salt

If growing in an exposed location by the road, where salt from the road can get to the plants, cover the root part well with 2-3 cm of cut grass, followed by straw.

This is what ours looks like after 5 years caring for it by the book. It’s over a meter high with trimming. The bare-root plants were about 30 cm high when we got them. Photo was taken in October.

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