leylandii hedge issue

[Old Mill Tree Care]

According to the OP, he wants to maintain a continuity of windbreak, hence planting the beech before felling the leylandii.

 

 

I read that too but the existence of the Cypress hedge will inhibit the development of a new Beech hedge.

[david wood]

hmmm so its starting to look like a bit doubtful for my idea. New hedge would be approx 4 foot from stems of retained hedge which would be reduced by 50%.

 

hornbeam would be fine if its thought more likely to survive.

 

i could easily rake site clean, punch holes with a pinch bar to allow water better in, dose heavily with fertiliser/bone meal, cheap bags of potting compost etc and allow to settle until spring so i guess 4 - 5 months time.

 

equally i dont want to waste money on new hedge if likely to fail.

 

watering for first few seasons is no issue, good water pressure near it so a mist hose could be set up.

[Stubby]

We've had a lot of success planting hornbeam hedges as conifer replacements - looks very similar to beech, grows to a decent size pretty quickly, and seems to do well in poor ground.

 

+ 1 for Hornbeam

[Peasgood]

Cut each side of the current hedge back by 2'. This will kill it probably but it will still be a good windbreak.

Grow some clematis or honeysuckle up it to make it look pretty.

 

I know that sounds stupid but it would work. I have some that decided to die after heavy topping. They are still there 10 years later and as a windbreak they are very good and zero maintenance.