Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is often used in landscaping, moreover, it is regularly seen in very different gardens. Often you can see low to medium-high hedges consisting of hornbeams. These small hedges look very elegant, are well-branched and therefore nicely opaque. But are hornbeams also suitable for high hedges? And how does the hedge become so tall? Here you can learn all about it!
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How high can a hornbeam grow?
Hornbeams belong to the birch family and are easily confused with the copper beech, which can also be used to create hedges. Hornbeam trees can grow up to 25 meters high in the wild. However, if you prune them regularly, a thick trunk cannot develop and new, small branches sprout everywhere. This is how the beautiful hornbeam hedges we know are created. But how high can such a hedge grow?
You may already know that the hornbeam can grow quite tall even as a hedge. A four meter high hornbeam hedge is well within the realm of possibility. That’s about the maximum height a hornbeam hedge can reach. Be sure not to trim the top of the hedge until it reaches the desired height. Hornbeams grow up to 40 inches a year, so it will take a few years for your hedge to reach the right height. You do not want to wait that long? Then opt for a prefabricated hedge.
How to make my hornbeam hedge really high?
You would like to have a tall hornbeam hedge in your garden? Then, first of all, see under what conditions the hornbeam grows best. Hornbeams are not very demanding. They grow well in almost any soil to form a healthy and robust hedge. While other hedge plants do not tolerate soil that is too wet, the hornbeam is less sensitive here: even on a slightly wetter soil, it thrives well and remains healthy. Do you live in the city with increased air pollution? Or near the coast, where there is always a strong, salty wind? Even then you can plant a hornbeam quite wonderfully in your garden.
Are the conditions in your garden suitable for hornbeam? Then you probably want to know how to get beautiful, tall hedges? As mentioned above, it may take some time for the hornbeam to reach the desired size. You want a hedge in your garden that will grow two meters and higher? That will certainly take a few years. During this time, trim the sides of the hedge once a year. Wait until the hedge reaches the desired height before trimming it at the top as well. After that, you can trim the top of the hedge once a year as well. Do you trim your hornbeam twice a year? This will stimulate branching of the hedge. The result is a full, compact hedge.
Promote healthy growth of hornbeam
If you want to stimulate the growth of hornbeam, fertilize it twice a year with a special hedge fertilizer. Since hedge plants are usually planted very close to each other, relatively large amounts of nutrients are removed from the soil. When you use hedge fertilizer, the soil in which your hornbeam stands is replenished with these nutrients and minerals. This won’t make your hornbeam grow any faster, but it will keep the plants in optimal condition. The leaves of the hornbeam retain their fresh green color and the roots remain healthy!
