- NATIVE
- FAST GROWING
Further Information
Prices shown are the price per plant, other than the discounted packs of 250, 500 and 1000. Planting distance is very much a matter of choice. For bare roots, 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 plants in a double staggered row makes a dense hedge quicker. Smaller plants are generally planted at higher density than tall plants. Pot grown plants have recommended densities shown (which vary by pot size) but you can increase or reduce this density dependent on your level of patience. Cell grown should be planted at 4 per metre in a single row, or ideally 6 per metre in a staggered row. Root ball Beech is normally planted at 2-3 per metre in a single row. Beech hedging spacing
Planting distances are very much a matter of choice - for bare roots, 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 in a double staggered row will give a dense hedge quicker. Generally, smaller plants should be planted at higher density. Cell grown should be planted at 4 per metre in a single row or 6 per metre in a staggered row but particularly with this species you could consider planting more densely.
Planting density for pot grown and root ball beech hedging plants is as shown but you can vary this depending on your budget and how long you're willing to wait to see the finished product. For more information on planting distances please see our planting density advice section.
Cell grown, pot grown and instant beech hedging plants are available to buy all year round. Bare roots and Root ball beech hedging is only available from November to late April/early May.
Pruning Advice
A beech hedge can be lightly trimmed and tidied up in June, if it’s looking a little messy, however we recommend pruning an established beech hedge in late summer. August is the ideal time, as a late summer cutting means that the plants have enough time to regrow and recover before the winter and a last flush of growth increases the winter coverage that makes beech hedging so popular.
Looking after a beech hedge is important, but it is possible to renovate an overgrown beech hedge. This sort of beech hedging maintenance should be carried out in February whilst it’s still dormant. If your overgrown beech hedge requires cutting back by more than half of its size it is best to do this gradually over two growing seasons. Firstly, cut back the top and one side of the hedge, leaving the other side for the following year.
Hard pruning is nothing to worry about, the beech hedging growth rate is particularly fast, approximately 30-60cm per year so your hedge will soon recover. With regular beech hedging maintenance, we do recommend using a slow release fertiliser, such as Bonemeal."
Delivery & Returns
Everything you need to know about your delivery: Free delivery - this is available on most orders when you reach a minimum order value for your packaging type which is based on the size and quantity of plants that you order. Details are in the delivery information table below.
Packaging Type | Standard Delivery Charge | Minimum Order Values for FREE Delivery |
---|---|---|
Boxes (Bare roots and pots up to and inc 7.5L) | £7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £60) | Orders of £60 and over - FREE |
Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc) | £60 delivery charge (orders up to £350) | Orders of £350 and over - FREE |
Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | £450 delivery charge (orders up to £1500) | Orders of £1500 and over - FREE |
Nominated Day Delivery – Choose a day that suits you for your delivery. If nominated delivery is available on the products you’ve chosen, you’ll be able to select this option at checkout. Fees for this will depend on the product selected and your delivery address.
For full delivery information, including geographical exceptions, see our delivery page
Beech 40/60cm bare root x 100 Fagus sylvatica
- Planting Conditions: Suitable for normal, clay and chalk soils, planted in full sun to semi shade and inland, coastal or exposed sites
- Growth Rate: Fast growing, expect 30-60cm per year
- Height: Easily maintained at 1-5m
- Bare root plants are shown in winter dormancy as a single bare root and a bundle for comparison. Please note if ordering 1 x bare root, this will be a single plant not a bundle unless shown as a multibuy item.
- 12 Month Guarantee On All Plants - Buy With Confidence
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Fagus Sylvatica
Although beech plants are deciduous, the striking winter leaves stay on the hedge until they are ready to make way for new growth in spring, making beech hedging a wonderful alternative to evergreen hedging that provides year-round interest.
Fantastic on its own as a formal hedge, beech hedging also makes a wonderful addition to a native mixed hedge to provide a burst of winter colour, as well as shelter for local wildlife when the rest of the deciduous hedge loses its leaves. If you're looking for a hedge with the characteristics of Beech hedging but in a different colour option, Purple Beech hedging - also known as Copper Beech - makes a striking alternative.
Beech hedging is a relatively fast grower, achieving around 30-60cm per annum. Fagus sylvatica does require some maintenance - after a light trim to tidy if required in early summer, we recommend trimming your beech hedge in late summer or early autumn, to make sure you can retain some of the lovely leaf coverage in winter.
Fagus sylvatica grows well in sun or partial shade, and thrives in well-drained soils. However, beech hedging is not suitable for heavy clay or wet sites - we'd suggest Hornbeam hedging as a fantastic alternative in this case, as it offers a similar appearance but can cope better with trickier planting situations. Beech can be grown in windy sites as a windbreak hedge, but be aware that it may not keep all of its winter leaves in very exposed positions, such as coastal sites.
If you are looking for a more established hedge, or a privacy screen for your garden, Fagus sylvatica is also available as an instant hedging screen to immediately transform the look of your garden, offering the beautiful aesthetics of a hedge whilst giving the privacy and security of a fence.
If Beech hedging isn't the ideal hedge for you, you'll find a comprehensive selection of alternatives and suggestions for your garden via our Choosing the Right Species page, or you can call the sales team on 01257 263 873.