Planning a new hedge - some questions I’m trying answer

[ollieN4]

Greetings all.

I’m thinking about planting a hedge along a boundary fence.
The purpose is screening, shelter and to prolong the life of the fence. I’m thinking along the lines of Whitethorn/Blackthorn/Hornbeam.

Soil and ground conditions will cover the complete range - some good, free-draining but not much depth of topsoil, some will be pretty waterlogged in winter, the rest poor/stoney/made ground/subsoil.

Two questions:
1. Logic would say that I’d need a second fence on the other side of the new hedge to protect it from sheep, possibly cattle for a few years until it’s properly established- could I get away without it?

2. Any suggestions regarding plant type?

Just wondering if anyone has done similar previously and how did it work out? We’ve had good success with Whitethorn before albeit protected by an electric fence for the first few years when it was cattle only.

Many thanks.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Personally I tend to either dig a trench along the line of a new hedge to loosen the soil then back fill it with some FYM added or just spread aline of FYM and rotavate it into the ground before planting. It helps the hedge get going faster.

Hawthorn will be VERY slow to get going but the thorn species are pretty good. Beech can help make a hedge quicker and add ecological interest as can maple.

 

[Netherfield]

Hornbeam makes a good hedge, given time.

 

[primmiemoo]

Don't forget to accidentally on purpose pop a crab apple or true apple in, or maybe a cherry (check rootstocks, though unless the hedge is to be trimmed boxy), and absentmindedly permit a dog rose or something.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Can’t beat hawthorn...Blackthorn is nothing more than a weed...horrible stuff

 

[Bury the Trash]

Fence both sides ........essential ime

 

[davidroberts30]

Fence it 5ft wide so you can drop the hedgecutter in for a couple of years

Plant the hedge then next year cut it 12 inches high
Let your cut up 8 to 10 inches every year till you get the height/width you want

If you let it grow to hight then cut it you will just have a line of stalks

 

[Exfarmer]

Are these your sheep or cattle you are worried about? If a neighbours it is up to them to stop grazing, however hares deer and rabbits delight in stripping the plants back to a stub.
I am not sure why some believe whitethorn/ hawthorn/ may is slow growing, except every thing like to eat it. It will certainly put on 12 - 24 inches a year after planting 18-24 quicks.
The important thing is plant 2 rows 6-8 inches apart a mixtture of plants about 8 - 12 inches in the row. I would plant 30% quicks 20% blackthorn 10% field maple / oak / crab/ dogwood/ dog rose/ elder etc. Yes this does not add up just make sure the bulk is white/ black thorn and do NOT under any circumstance plant to wide apart

 

[RushesToo]

Depends where you are, round here the rain is so little a hedge is at least difficult - it wont grow, what it does grow is eaten as variety from monoculture. Wetter conditions then a whole different World. 2017 - we got 550mm or 34", my parents got 122" - more than three times as much and evenly spread.
Hedges grow in Wales, they are nurtured here, there are few new ones.

Where you are is key to establishment and success. If you are here, then I would recommend double fences and fling acorns, sloes, rose hips, ash flyers and cherry seeds and for fun chestnuts into the gap and hope for the best. In Wales I would put a fence line up and just stick some whips in, in fact if you stuck fresh cut willow in the ground it would grow - that said this year would be the exception.

Where you are makes advice very different - consistency and quantity of rain makes a massive difference - regardless of soil type. I have given the two extremes I know - others are available..... Your shout, your location or we are all guessing.

 

[ollieN4]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Great suggestions and advice which I’m delighted to get. I’ll likely use the trench method with FYM and double-fenced. I’m in the Irish midlands - better update my profile!

As for the planting, I have some great suggestions to consider. @Exfarmer has suggested the same mix that an ecologist and dear departed former work colleague suggested for a job several years ago - I’ll likely go that route.
Some trees will be added too as suggested.

Thanks again

 

[Exfarmer]

Hedges will take from whips where ever you are in a normal year, however it is very important to never let the whips be exposed to any wind or sun and must be kept damp at all times before planting. Then weed control is critical so the hedge has no competition for light and water. Rabbits must be excluded , but I personally dislike rabbit gaurds they encourage a leggy hedge, you see them everywhere often with the old gaurd still wrapped around the base discouraging lower branching. Of course if you are going to lay it, it does not matter.

 

[onthehoof]

Use cherry plum instead of blackthorn- grows twice as fast, doesn’t sucker and has better fruit

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

And don't forget to inform Chris Packham that you've planted it, voluntarily.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would not put blackthorn in the mix either, quickthorn is far better

 

[Old Tip]

If you have a plough or a digger form a Kear or hump to plant the hedge on, it will give them a head start over the grass and a bit more soul to grow in.
As others have said definitely need two fences or the stock will eat the lot. The more of a mix of species you put in the better it is for wildlife and in my opinion looks better and gives a variety of fruit and leaf colours. If it’s not to long carefully strim it twice a year till the plants get established. It will help a lot and reduce vermin damage

 

[foxbox]

And don't forget to inform Chris Packham that you've planted it, voluntarily.

He won't believe you and is probably more likely to accuse you of pulling the old, longer one up first, then replacing it with some non-native monoculture hedge drenched in chemicals planted to deliberately make badgers walk around your house rather than through it as they've done for centuries

 

[New Puritan]

When you buy the whips buy the shorter ones if you're given the option of different sizes. Shorter ones establish more quickly and overtake the longer ones (if you see what I mean); and they'll be cheaper too.

 

[neilo]

Contrary to advice above, if you have cattle, I would never plant crab apple trees. They will push the fence over trying to reach the apples that drop behind it.

Hawthorn & blackthorn whips are much cheaper than some of the more exotic species, if that is a consideration. I would base a hedge on those, with a few oddballs thrown in at random for variation. Think of the poor hedgecutter man when you think of putting stuff like maple and hedgerow trees in too.

And yes, double fence it.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Spray it with roundup first

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Hawthorn & blackthorn whips are much cheaper than some of the more exotic species, if that is a consideration. I would base a hedge on those, with a few oddballs thrown in at random for variation. Think of the poor hedgecutter man when you think of putting stuff like maple and hedgerow trees in too.

No sense of adventure......