Instant hedge query

[woodworm]

I'm about to plant 14m of 6' high hornbeam instant hedging, but its about 2' higher than I really want it to be.

Should I

a: plant it, water it, let it get established for a year and then cut it back hard

or

b: plant it water it and cut it back immediately and keep watering it in the hope it doesn't die

 

I'm a bit worried that if i cut it back straight away it may kill it with all the dry weather although I will continue to water it from my storage tank.

 

Any knowledge on the matter is appreciated:confused1:

[Gollum]

Don't cut them back.

Hornbeam should not be cut this time of year,

Are the trees container grown, or bare root. ?

[woodworm]

Hi Gollum,

they are neither, they have been grown in compost in a trench and are lifted from the trench in 3metre lengths of hedge with the compost still in place.

[Gollum]

Hi Gollum,

they are neither, they have been grown in compost in a trench and are lifted from the trench in 3metre lengths of hedge with the compost still in place.

 

So the are like a long root ball.

to give them the best chance water the planting trench well before you put the trees in

[sloth]

Could you not buy 4 foot high instant hedge? Let them establish a year or two before reducing any significant amount, 1/3 is the maximum recommended for an established healthy tree. As gollum says water the trench before planting, and be careful not too over water it. I've seen more new hedges die from over watering than under.