New hornbeam hedge pruning questions - how much, how often

Hi all,

Last November we had around 100 metres of 60-90cm Hornbeam bare root whips planted at 5-7 per metre.

We're ultimately wanting them to turn into one tall hedge that can't be seen through for the most part. To encourage this, I plan on pruning the outward growth while leaving the leader alone and wanted to clarify a few things.

No initial pruning was done when the whips were planted (which may have been a mistake). They seem to have settled well and started putting out some healthy leaves and growth - they had rootgrow applied to the roots and bone meal mixed into the compost and regularly have a liquid seaweed tonic applied to the leaves.

In my calendar I've had the start of June and September marked as the time for pruning, with the latter understood to be to encourage new growth and retaining the leaves over winter.

I think where I may be misreading certain advice is formative vs maintenance pruning and what to do now in the formative years compared to when they're established.

I've read that pruning around 1/3 of outward growth is recommended to encourage bushy growth (which seems daunting, but want to do what's best for the end goal). I've seen mixed results on whether this should be done when the plants are dormant or can be done in the June prune, or both.

Should I be doing a combination of these during the formative years? Pruning in June, September and when dormant?

I'd appreciate any input on how much and how often you'd suggest pruning.

e.g.

June - is 1/3 too excessive if also doing when dormant? Just back a few buds instead?
September - Just to nearest bud, or more?
Dormant - 1/3?

Thanks in advance.

 

I've just seen this and it's probably too late for you now. I'm sorry no one answered.

Years ago we planted a hornbeam hedge about 100 metres long at my old house. We just trimmed it every September with a hedge cutter so that it was even on the top and sides. I don't think we had Internet then. It was fine and it grew well, gradually getting bigger and thicker. We kept it at about 6ft tall in the end and bought a long handled, angled hedge cutter to do the top.

I've since looked it up and saw various ways and times of pruning it and that it should be pruned with secateurs. No way did we have time to prune a 100m hedge with secateurs!

 

I never bothered with faffing with my hornbeam hedging. It just grew well, and I clipped it once a year, usually later on. When it was young, ie newly planted, I don't think I ever touched the top, I just let it thicken up and then topped it at the eventual desired height. Some of mine was in a very inhospitable site because of nearby mature trees, but it still grew well as I prepped the site as well as I could. The bits in the better areas grew very quickly.
It's a pretty easy hedge for maintenance. Your conditions and climate will also dictate how rapidly it grows, and how late you can trim. If you've done a double, staggered row, that's also better for getting a good thick hedge. It retains the foliage well over winter, unless it's allowed to get beyond about ten to twelve feet.
I wouldn't worry too much @HedgeGuy. It's a pity no one saw your query, as @Busy-Lizzie said, and they could have put your mind at rest.

This nonsense about trimming hedges with secateurs is just that - nonsense. It's often touted for laurel, but that's fine if the hedge is a few yards long - not when it's hundreds of feet. You'd be there forever....