Popular for their distinctive cut leaf, hedges made of hornbeams can be an beautiful additions to the landscape and public areas. Similar to other types of hedging , or pleached trees, hornbeams require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to thrive in the long run.
Also also known as Carpinus Betulus, the European Hornbeam is a natural hedge plant that has very similar characteristics similar to beech hedges. Contrary to some species that require more care Hornbeams are comparatively easy and robust, and can even thrive in various soil types like chalky, clay and moister environments.
When To Prune Your Hornbeam Hedge
Like other hedges, it is advised to do the first cut when it has reached the height you would like. Since the plant is growing at a rate between 20 and 40 centimeters per year, it might take a few years to get your hedge to this stage, particularly when you purchased a smaller plant.
Hornbeam hedges can be maintained from less than 1 meter to 5 meters with a single cut throughout the year for making the plant more attractive. This can happen in the latter part of summer, right after the plant experiences an increase in growth, but before it begins to change shade, and it falls during the fall months.
In September, it is possible to reduce and prune the hedge by secateurs, which are an example of a pruning clipper. It is a tool that is commonly used due to the fact that the largest leaflets of the hornbeam are susceptible to damage if cut by rough trimming. With secateurs, you're assured of a more precise trimming, resulting in a more dense hedge.
If you're at an age where you're in the process of trimming your hedge of hornbeam the first thing you need to do is look over it to figure out the extent of growth that is expected for the entire year. Based on the plant's growth conditions, you could observe that there isn't much new growth , or a lot of it. Based on the condition of your hornbeam, you may be able to cut the hedge to leave more growth at the bottom, and less growth at the upper and upper sides of the plant since these are the areas the area that is the most exposed to sunlight.
With the help of secateurs, cut the hornbeam hedge every shoot that is at the highest point of the plant at least at least two or three leaves away from the base. Make sure you cut off old, dead, or damaged timber, not cutting any new shoots, and cutting in an angle. When the top has been completed and the whole length of the hedge is level then you can proceed to pruning the sides. If you're having difficulties getting the top level the hedge utilize a string that is attached to the opposite side of the hedge. This will give you an image guideline to aid the pruning.
Take the hornbeam trimmings off regularly to avoid any confusion with loose and attached leaves. While trimming sides to the hedge begin beginning at the top and work to lower, making sure that you should taper your sides, and making sure that the base be slightly wider than the top to ensure optimal lighting.
How To Maintain A Peached Hornbeam
Maintaining a peached hornbeam much like maintaining an hedge, however, you might be required to trim the tree at least twice each year to encourage growth and to ensure shape retention. When you plant your tree, you must ensure that you give it the right support otherwise, it could become out of form and become slanted.
This can be accomplished through the construction or purchase of an hornbeam frame and set at regular intervals to allow the tree to develop symmetrically. Once your trees have grown beyond your frame are able to start trimming them in the spring and in late autumn using the same procedure as hedges.