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White thorn hedge query

  • 15-03-2025 06:29PM
    #1
    Exiled Rebel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 842 ✭✭✭


    I've just finished planting a whitethorn hedge. Bare root.

    I know it's very late to do it so my question is should I leave the initial pruning (YT videos advise trimming the plant down to about 4 inches above the ground) until next winter in order to allow the plants to establish?

    IMG-20250315-WA0007.jpeg IMG-20250315-WA0005.jpeg


Best Answers

  • #1
    Ceepo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭Ceepo


    I certainly no expert when it comes to planting anything. But I always heard that you can plant trees in any month that has the letter "r" in the name. So Ma"r"ch should be fine.

    I planted a row of Whitethorn years ago in March and all of them took hold.

    I would suggest to "lay" them, bend, brake them and lean them to one side this way you don't get too strong of a main trunk. Regretfully I didn't do that and as such I've a very strong trunk with the main crown about 5' foot high. This gets very hard to cut over the years, and to add very little branches closer to the ground



  • #1
    macraignil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭macraignil


    With hawthorn/whitethorn that size I would hold off on pruning for a while yet. Posted some videos of my planting of a whitethorn and hornbeam hedge here for reference material if it is any help. Only did some light pruning for the first few years.

    Happy gardening!



Answers

  • #2
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,919 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    I would not think that cutting off most of the top would affect it getting established. I haven't heard of cutting as far down as 4 inches, but I've not had much to do with whitethorn. If its anything like hawthorne you can cut it down and no harm. See if anyone here with direct experience comes along with advice.



  • #3
    The Continental Op
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,487 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    White thorn = Hawthorne

    Whips like that I'd tend to leave alone.

    Wake me up when it's all over.



  • #4
    looksee
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,919 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Doh! I am fully aware that whitethorn is hawthorn, but my brain was thinking blackthorn. I think i might get an early night!



  • #5
    Exiled Rebel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 842 ✭✭✭Exiled Rebel


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123268724#Comment_123268724

    Thank you, the clips are really insightful.

    The year 6 video from last summer is phenomenal. I knew whitethorn can grow 40-60cm per year but I was amazed how impressive the hedge looked 6 years after planting.



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