New Hawthorn Hedge

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by wiseowl, Mar 21, 2017.

  1. wiseowl

    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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    Good evening about 4 weeks ago I planted a new Hawthorn hedge (bare root) approximately 30ft long,they have all taken well and are all full of leaves but are not all level,my question is would it be ok to cut them level now or should I wait until they are more mature,thank you:smile:
     
  2. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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    You're more knowledgeable than I am, but my gut instinct would be to leave them for at least a year. More leaf surface area means more opportunity for photosynthesis which means stronger plants with stronger roots in reckon.

    Hawthorn is very resilient so once established a bit, I reckon then you can give it almost as severe a haircut as you like to encourage it to bush up.
     
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      If you cut them they will put out more branches and thicken up but you can get a bare bottom or you could leave them for a few years and then lay them which will thicken them up as well but you will get a thicker bottom to the plant
      some people when they plant bare roots they will cut the tops off then but it all depenes on what you want
       
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      • Redwing

        Redwing Wild Gardener

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        Did you prune before you planted? If not do so now, not too much but about a third off the most strongly growing branches. It will encourage bushiness. Then prune again towards the end of summer.
         
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        • "M"

          "M" Total Gardener

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          I don't think anyone on GC wishes our woo a bare bottom
           
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          • wiseowl

            wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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            If only that were true @clueless1 my friend I only know about Roses, I haven't your span of knowledge on all other aspects of gardening:smile:

            Good evening @clueless1 @Jiffy @Redwing @"M" many thanks for all you input,very much appreciated my friends:smile::blue thumb:
             
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            • Bilbo675

              Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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              • wiseowl

                wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                Good morning @Bilbo675 my friend wow! your link tells me everything I asked,many thanks for that,something else I can add to my limited general garden knowledge;) much appreciated my friend:smile:
                 
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                • Jiffy

                  Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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                  I was thinking of Woo's hedge, as to hedges around here you can walk though the bottom parts of them because they have not bust out at the bottom just stalks then alot of bushyness at the top were the hedge trimmer trims
                   
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                  • wiseowl

                    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                    Good morning everyone its a biting East wind out there,I have cut the hedge down by half at 6am this morning,and no worries Woo can fly over the hedge;):blue thumb:
                     
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                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

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                      The local estate workers have just cut a long length of hawthorn hedge down. Next time they'll lay it.

                      hawthorn2.JPG

                      This is how high it was before cutting

                      hawthorn1.JPG
                       
                    • Redwing

                      Redwing Wild Gardener

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                      It will grow back thicker than before.
                       
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                      • Scrungee

                        Scrungee Well known for it

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                        They should know what they're doing as they planted a new hedge that was subsequently used for the National Championship a few years ago, an ex-neighbour helps organise these competitions, and sometimes gets in the top 3.
                         
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