Using Sycamore for a Hedge

[LeeOulton]

Hi all,

 

I have 100's of Sycamore saplings growing in my borders which I have put some into little pots already. If its growing, I will keep it :-)

 

Been looking a sticking a hedge around the garden as we live on a new estate and are very overlooked. Many curtain twitchers on our estate!!

 

I know its not going to grow overnight but what is everyones opinions on using Sycamore as the hedge.

 

I have seen it many places before and I know that Field Maple is much better but I already have it so want to use it!!

 

Im just thinking about spacing etc.. I plan to pot as many as possible and wait until they look like trees before I plan to hedge them!!

 

I have just painted the fence so a hedge would be finishing touch...

 

What you think guys? silly idea or should I go for it??

 

Lee :-)

[Stephen Blair]

How wide do you want the hedge ?

[LeeOulton]

We would want it atleast a foot wide but we want in the future to grow it as tall as the windows overlooking etc..

[waz77]

What about making an Espalier type fence/hedge with them?

[dave fox]

think its a great idea , i have just set an ash wind break spaceing a meter apart. a neighbourgh of mine has a horse chestnut headge and an ash headge both about 12 to 15 years old they look realy original!!

[Guest Infinitree]

They are not renowned for great hedges-very sparse during the winter..

[nepia]

What about making an Espalier type fence/hedge with them?

 

That's a good idea. I recently saw a 60-year old hedge made of two espaliered ash trees: the trunks were 12" thick (not tall enough to make the 'b' of dbh) and the overall was 5' high and 30' long, kept in check by regular trimming. Different but effective (in summer).

If you make a standard hedge of them then yes, they will grow overnight!

[LeeOulton]

Thanks for the info so far,

 

Have never thought of a Espalier hedge, never done one before but there was one at the college I went to (Reaseheath) and it looked pretty cool.

 

Will do some research....

[Stephen Blair]

A foot wide isn't going to give you much foliage IMO , plant them 3" apart and just use the stems as a screen lol

[dave fox]

one of the orchards we work in use willow as a wind break ,set about 2ft apart they branch out and screen up very thick , just look a sham when they are flailed.