Beech, Green (Fagus sylvatica)

Beech Hedging, Green ( Fagus sylvatica )

Green Beech is one of the best hedging plants there is, equally outstanding in a formal garden hedge or as stockproof country hedging. When clipped, Green Beech hold its leaves (which turn a beautiful russet colour in the autumn) right through the winter. Allowed to grow to full size, a Beech tree makes a majestic specimen in woodland or parkland. Both in hedge and tree, young Beech leaves are bright green in spring darkening as summer wears on. The bark is smooth and a light, elephant grey.

This page deals with smaller Green Beech plants (mainly used for hedging & woodland and forestry planting) to 1.8 metres tall. For larger specimen trees, from 3 metres upwards, have a look at our Green Beech standards

Green Beech is native to the UK and so tolerant of most soil types. It is happy on acid and alkaline soil, but needs reasonable drainage to grow well. If it takes more than a day for surface water to drain away, your soil is probably too heavy for Beech and you should think about planting Hornbeam instead.

In many parts of the country, green beech hedges are the norm - well grown beech hedging is stockproof, and once established it is perfect for hedges for the tops of banks. Beech loves the drainage and is good in wind.

Beech hedging is best trimmed in midsummer while formative pruning should be carried out in winter. Hedges are planted in either a single row at 3 per metre or a double row at 4-5 per metre.

For larger quantities of green beech, have a look in our Hedging Pack section where we sell economy packs of 80/100cm, 100/125cm and 120/150 cm plants which are well branched for hedging.