Hedge Type Advise

[Freeforester]

Isn't Laurel considered an invasive non-native species?

Isn’t beech similarly miscalled? ( we have beech hedges btw, and like them very much, but the purists still say this)

 

[VSS]

Isn’t beech similarly miscalled? ( we have beech hedges btw, and like them very much, but the purists still say this)

I think beech is a native tree.
Sweet chestnut isn't.

 

[Freeforester]

I think beech is a native tree.
Sweet chestnut isn't.

Much in the same way that fallow and pheasants are natives I tend to agree, they’ve all been here long enough as migrants now…

 

[Swedish]

and Isn’t beech similarly miscalled? ( we have beech hedges btw, and like them very much, but the purists still say this)

I'm pretty sure Beech is considered native. I have both Hornbeam and Beech in my hedges. Hornbeam looks similar and behaves the same as Beech when kept cut, ie it keeps it's dead leaves during winter. On the advice of my aborist pal I have favoured Hornbeam as it seems to be quite tolerant of wet ground.

 

[reiver]

I have a mixture of blackthorn and hawthorn with some beech trees and a few latch and some hazel mixed in . On my new hedge

 

[Disco Stu]

I have a mixture of blackthorn and hawthorn with some beech trees and a few latch and some hazel mixed in . On my new hedge

I have blackthorn, hawthorn & firethorn with a little hazel & crab apple mixed in.

 

[Border]

Beech, hornbeam or lime.

 

[Cyres]

Hornbeam as more drought tolerate then beech. Put some Holly in as well. Hazel will lay well and bears nuts and handy for bean and pea sticks.
D

 

[j500app]

Laurel. Native and evergreen.

Be careful with laurel,it can be poisonous to livestock.

 

[jall55]

Hi Swedish...........No. Rhododendron is. Laurel is not.

Laurel is not a native species - at least not to the Uk mate

 

[jall55]

Just in the process of having another few hedges laid - going to be brilliant habitat in a few years - I use the RSPB Ultimate mix as a base and add lime - holly - oak - rowan - crab apple - hornbeam

 

[Bonzo dog]

Copper beech is beautiful, but the young hedging plants are very expensive to buy compared to ordinary beech.
I would suggest mixing just a few coppers in with a regular beech hedge.

They aren't that much more expensive!

 

[VSS]

They aren't that much more expensive!

Well they were sufficiently more expensive to prevent me from mixing any into the beech hedge I planted a few years ago
I suppose we all have our own idea as to what constitutes "expensive".

 

[Bonzo dog]

Laurel is not a native species - at least not to the Uk mate

I'm pretty sure Beech is considered native. I have both Hornbeam and Beech in my hedges. Hornbeam looks similar and behaves the same as Beech when kept cut, ie it keeps it's dead leaves during winter. On the advice of my aborist pal I have favoured Hornbeam as it seems to be quite tolerant of wet ground.

Hornbeam will grow on heavy wet ground, where as Beech will not. It also grows much quicker so therfore is cheaper to buy in the first place.

 

[weblyish]

Beech.
A well maintained beech hedge is beautiful. And it keeps its leaves all winter.

Beech is a great shout. Needs maintaining annually but is lovely to look at.

Bay laurel is good as well . Doebt tend to get completely out of control like the large leaf laurel but does sucker put of where you plant it


If you are in a low frost area then a hardy fuscia is a nice and extremely robust evergreen hedge

 

[Bonzo dog]

Well they were sufficiently more expensive to prevent me from mixing any into the beech hedge I planted a few years ago
I suppose we all have our own idea as to what constitutes "expensive".

That is true, just speaking as someone who is in the trade.
Dotting copper Beech through a green hedge looks good, adding a bit more interest.

 

[John Gryphon]

Hawthorn planted tightly once grown will stop sheep/cattle etc and makes for a terrific hedge...will keep kids out too.

 

[Craigsaun]

Copper beech is beautiful, but the young hedging plants are very expensive to buy compared to ordinary beech.
I would suggest mixing just a few coppers in with a regular beech hedge.

Now that’s a great idea

 

[jall55]

More species in it the better - unless you need it as a livestock barrier
As well as the above we have wild privet - blackthorn - hawthorn - wild cherry - bird cherry - spindle - guelder rose - field maple
really are things of beauty and so valuable to wildlife

 

[old 30-06]

There has been some speculation on this post as to whether or not laurel is native to the UK. I thought I should set the record straight. According to Dr. Google, Spurge Laurel (Daphne Laureola) is native. Cherry Laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus) is not, but has been here since its introduction in 1576.

Either way I like Laurel, and think it would make a very nice hedge.