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Moving hornbeam hedging

  • 07-02-2025 06:55PM
    #1
    68508224
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭


    We have a hornbeam hedge at the front of our garden planted two years ago. It hasn't grown well in that time (I think due to their being only a thin layer of topsoil, about 3/4 inches). Also because it loses its leaves in winter we want to replace it with red robin which should provide more privacy from the road.

    I'm wondering would it be possible to transplant the hornbeam to a new growing area at the side where privacy isn't a concern? And would they be likely to survive?

    Thanks for any advice.



Comments

  • #2
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,803 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    In theory, yes, go for it. However my experience has been that if a shrub has been put back by poor growing conditions, it finds it very difficult to make a go of growing somewhere else. Not impossible but something to be aware of. Other than that, if it is only in 2 years you are not doing anything very different to what the nurseries do. Do it soon though, you are getting towards the end of the planting season.



  • #3
    Reckless Abandonment
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭Reckless Abandonment


    You can move it anytime upto the end of March. The fact it's only in 2 years is should be easy to move. Regarding planting red Robin you'll need to improve the soil and will need to be a lot more than 3/4 in deep.



  • #4
    68508224
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 156 ✭✭68508224


    Thanks for the input looksee and Reckless Abandonment. I have a good quantity of topsoil nearby so am planning on adding around 6 inches more to what's already there.

    Haven't fully made up our mind on red robin or beech hedging. Our main thing is to have privacy at the front and driving around have seen that they hold on to their leaves much better. Any thoughts or advice on either one over the other?



  • #5
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,803 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Can you put the extra soil on without forming a mound? Mounded up soil tends to dry out fairly fast, if you could make a wide-ish spread of the soil to accommodate spreading roots near the surface, that would help, also put a good layer of wood chip or bark mulch on it to hold moisture.

    No strong feelings about red robin or beech. Both need pruning and shaping from the start, but both would make a good hedge. Left to themselves, the beech will grow to be a huge tree, and the red robin will sprawl everywhere. My (gut feeling) thought is that red robin might be more amenable to the conditions than beech. I could be wrong on that.



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