how to thicken a laurel hedge

They are also available in bypass and anvil types. Fun! In this article, I'm going to discuss how to trim a hedge to grow bushier, fuller, and thicker. A hedge planted into deeply dug, well-manured soil will grow at least twice as fast as one planted without any proper preparation. How to plant laurel hedging. It is recommended to use a sharp pruner, lopper, or pruning saw to carry out this task. To see how and when to trim your hedge, see our section on How to Prune a Laurel Hedge. It is a double row of Privet, probably pretty old (trunks are about 3inch diameter), which is bare at the bottom and only about 2feet thick. If you want a quick screen then plant your laurel hedging plants at 2ft apart but if you are willing to wait a bit longer, you will get just as dense a hedge by planting at 3ft apart. Some plant species can survive pretty well when trimmed in the late spring or early summer. Second, you need to consider the age and species of your plants to decide on how much to cut. They are technically in the Prunus genus and they are not “true” laurels at all! Laurel hedges need constant maintenance keeping their growth in check and managing their shape. This laurel hedge was planted in the late autumn and at some stage the roots dried out leaving it in a sorry state. When removing dead wood, you need to do it carefully to avoid peeling off the bark of the healthy parts. Often a good compromise is 2’6″ apart. According to arborists and tree experts, trimming improves both the aesthetics and the health of a hedge (also known as a living or green fence). When do I give the first trim? Laurel Hedges are a unique group of plants, and they are particularly well-suited to hedging. A laurel hedge should be maintenance pruned in Mid- August, if you are using powered shears to trim the hedge it may be worth wile to go back over it again with hand shear to remove any half ripped leaves which can make the hedge look ragged. Januaris Saint Fores (author) from Intercontinental on November 28, 2019: @Mayr you can instead decide to support them to allow them grow past 6 feet (and trim back to 6 feet) - they will be offering better privacy at that height. There are three steps that you can follow to trim a branch correctly. Determine the Width of the Hedge. Since it promotes the growth of more branches, it makes hedges bushier and stronger. Hedges can quickly become overgrown, filling up a border and becoming difficult to maintain. Dilute salt with water and spray a solution near to your hedges' roots. It needs a severe pruning to remove the shriveled and dead upper growth. All types of laurel should be planted between 2 and 3 feet (60-90cm) apart. On this website, we hope to provide information on the benefits of Laurel hedging, the different varieties of Laurel and how to plant them, how to trim and look after your Laurel hedge, how to prevent or cope with any potential problems with your hedge and where to buy your Laurel hedging plants. If your hedge has some branches that are broken, dead, diseased, or infected with pests, you need to remove them first. To avoid any damage when carrying the process, you need to identify stems and major branches and protect them. It stimulates the growth of new branches and reduces pest infestations. Plants lose less sap during these periods and therefore they do not suffer a lot from the cuts which promotes quick regrowth. Dead branches can harbor pests while the diseased ones can spread the disease, so you should not allow them to exist in your fence. When trimming the major branches, you should make your cuts a few inches from the stem collar and the cuts should not extend to the stems. But still, according to my own observations, many people do not know how to trim a hedge correctly. I have lived in this house for over 30 years and houses on both sides have sold several times. First, uncontrolled trimming can cause a serious damage to a hedge, so it is advisable to trim your plants carefully and as minimal as possible. Some tools and equipment that you will definitely need include a pruner (manual or electric), strings, and garden stakes. You can select only the major wounds and apply a suitable dressing. The weak and narrow branches create weak areas in your green fence, and you can remove them through a process called crown thinning. Decide exactly how much to trim for maximal health and beauty. "Trimming Trees and Shrubs.". Again, even with the 22 – inch guide bar, you may need to stand on a ladder or hydraulic platform to effectively trim the tallest parts of the hedge. How to Grow a Laurel Hedge from Cuttings. "Pruning Woody Plants.". Wait a few weeks until the shrub produces new shoots from the pruning cuts. Laurel Hedges: We are doubly “blessed”. Forestry Commission, Great Britain. Dear all Can anyone advise on how to make a thin hedge thicker? Here’s how we started a hedge along the road perimeter of our lot. The task is usually not complicated. It is often written that pruning of laurel hedges should be done with secateurs rather than hedge clippers. The plants grew high, so that the top branches flop over, but are not thickening up. Other parts that you need to remove include root and base trunk suckers, water sprouts, and broken, diseased, or dead wood. There are Laurel hedging plants that stay small or grow up to 20ft (7m); Laurels with dark green, bright green or variegated leaves; Laurel with large leaves and Laurel with small leaves. As you can see, trimming a hedge to grow fuller and thicker is a straightforward process. Unlike a number of hedge plants however, Cherry Laurel is almost infinitely forgiving of mistakes, so it is hard not to produce a good hedge ultimately. The last step is to cut the remaining stub ensuring that there is no peeling of the bark. Larger plants need more care and are more expensive. Once established, your evergreen Schipka Cherry Laurel (Skip Laurel) will need no maintenance at all! Laurel is quick-growing and evergreen. Foliage – evergreen Flowering – spring Fruits – fall (inedible). The first step is to make a shallow cut on a suitable part of the branch, preferably near the stem collar. We have a thick, tall laurel hedge on our front border, and have decided to get rid of it. This may be why they are often called “Cherry laurels” –cherries and plums are also Prunus species. Laurel is the quickest growing evergreen hedging plant that isn't a conifer, so if you don't want a conifer hedge, Laurel is the quickest and cheapest way of creating an evergreen hedge. They refuse to trim so we are stuck with an out of control laurel with trunks 6″ in diameter. In terms of pruning, do nothing.Laurel is an evergreen and as such it is never truly dormant although activity in colder months is slow. Safety is the number one thing to consider when trimming your hedge. The second step is to make another cut opposite the initial one, but slightly up or down the branch. Other unwanted plant parts are water sprouts and suckers. There is also information on the botany of Laurel. You can use them to mark the parts that you need to cut. Because they tolerate a range of conditions, including heavy shade, dry … I am always looking to do things the cheap (or free) way and love being creative when it comes to gardening. "The Restoration of Neglected Hedges: A Comparison of Management Treatments. Januaris is a miniature-garden designer and author of landscaping guides. If the materials have pests or diseases, you should burn or bury them. When it comes to choosing the right trimming tool, there is one tool that you shouldn't fail to have for your hedges, and the tool is no other than the Fiskars Bypass Pruner. It inhibits the cut branches from growing back and keeps disease-carrying insects away during the healing period. When to prune Laurel hedges is largely a matter of fitting in with your own routine, or where untidiness of the hedge warrants attention. After you have finished trimming your hedge, you can expect to have a lot of cut branches and leaves lying around the fence. Removing the hedge is tricky because the plants grow deep taproots and have wide, thick root systems. To disinfect your equipment, you need to put the disinfectant in a large container and dip the equipment in the chemical for at least five minutes. With their thick foliage, these laurel hedge plants make superb screens that offer privacy as well as shelter throughout the seasons. They are very cheap and are easy to establish. To many people, this task may seem unnecessary, but according to my own experience, it is quite important. On the other hand, if you want to kill your hedges in order to remove them, salt may be a good option. I've have also seen runner beans used as a temporary measure! Some people carry out the process at the wrong time of year while others use the wrong type of equipment. Learn what time of year is best for trimming your hedge. The protective gear will shield you from thorns, harmful sap, and equipment cuts. So you need also to consider the species of your fencing plants to know the best time to trim them. Laurel – A Complete Guide to Planting and Caring for a Laurel Hedge. The crossing branches rub against each other causing plant damage while the co-dominant branches tend to grow quicker than the other branches spoiling the fence shape. Read on to know the right time to prune the plants and the best equipment to use. Laurel can make a hedge or living screen that will: Laurel is best pruned once a year to keep it to the height you want. Much. How fast a Laurel hedge grows depends on which variety of Laurel you choose. Laurel can be trimmed or pruned to the height you require and, if it grows too big, it can be cut back as hard as you like – right back to the stump if necessary – and it will re-grow quickly into a new hedge. If the branches are thin (0.75 inches of diameter or below), you can go for the hand pruners. Neem oil and simply spraying the laurel hedge with water twice a day will cut down on any insects that are attempting to make the bush a home. Name – Prunus lusitanica Family – Rosaceae Type – shrub, bay. In this video best4hedging discuss the many benefits the ever popular Cherry Laurel hedging offers. They can even help to reduce noise or act as a windbreak. During the dormant season, laurel can handle a hard pruning if necessary. The suckers and water sprouts grow waywardly and compete for resources with the main plants. Answer: If you planted them recently, give them at least three months for the roots to develop before you trim. A laurel could belong to any of the nearly 4,000 species and cultivars of the Lauraceae family of evergreen, flowering trees.Aside from the medicinal, aromatherapy or culinary uses for the leaves and flowers of many species, laurels are a fast-growing landscaping choice for hedgerows in tropical and temperate climates alike. Could try Honeysuckle which grows extremely rapidly and will give you some colour! Laurel is a superb hedging plant. Regardless of how much you have decided to trim, you need to ensure that you remove sagging stems, acute-angled secondary stems, and closely-growing or running secondary stems. You can really achieve even sides and a well-leveled top with the help of these tools. And we figured out a way to put in a hedge basically for free. You need to clean these materials to expose the final shape of the hedge and allow for a quick recovery of the plants. Trimming laurel with the Husqvarna 115iHD55 There are laurel hedging plants that grow to be as high as 20 feet, or seven meters. For example, you can trim branches that wither or get infected by pests or diseases at any time. He loves to write about garden flowers, ponds, lawns, and hedges. That stimulates vertical growth in the now empty spaces. To prevent injuries and accidents, you must get safety gear and use it throughout the process. Instead we want native hedgerow which will attract wildlife and not just be a … The neighbor to our right have allowed the laurel hedge (planted right on the property line) to grow to over 20′. You then need to dispose the materials properly. If your hedge is infected by diseases, you need therefore to find a suitable disinfectant. It will also allow you to maintain a bushier, fuller, and thicker green fence. How far apart do you plant laurel hedging? To protect your thorax and abdomen, you need to wear an apron or a long sleeve shirt. The part being trimmed should fall off after this cut. Clean equipment after removing diseased branches. Lonsdale D. "Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management.". To thicken this hedge up, I’d just pull some branches from different plants down and zip tie them together. You need to consider the size of the branches and the height of the hedge to choose the right tools and equipment. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. Laurel Hedge. If you have the equipment and time, you can use this guide to prune your green fence. Arborists have documented the best seasons to perform hedge trimming, but some situations can trigger the process to take place outside these seasons. Some recommended disinfectants include isopropyl alcohol, trisodium phosphates, and chlorine bleach. The easy solution is to bend some branches, to weave the plants together. The laurel hedge is detrimental to wildlife, and is potentially harmful (able to release cyanide gas in certain conditions). To thicken your hedge you really need to reduce it's hight to encourage more shooting from lower down! I myself – and the laurel hedge – have always been happy with the use of electric hedge trimmers. Question: I have recently had a 6ft plus pt grown privet hedge planted. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. With legislation in place concerning the height of evergreen hedges, renovation may be advisable where hedges have got out of hand. The tool itself comes with top-notch features, including fully-hardened, precision-ground steel blade (stays sharp even on heavy use), low friction coating (improves gliding, prevents gumming up, and resists rust), and maximum cutting capacity (cuts a wide range of branch sizes). I have Podocarpus plants (3 feet high) planted in March of last year in Florida to make a privacy hedge. See page for author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. These pruners can also be used to shape a hedge, but I recommend a garden shear for the shaping job. This will give you easy time in the whole trimming process. If you are trying to kill weeds in the same soil that your hedges are growing, be careful when you use salt, as it can also damage or kill your hedges. Height – 6½ to 20 feet (2 to 6 meters) Exposure – full sun. Here’s how to grow a Laurel hedge from cuttings. Kidd R. "Tips on Tree and Shrub Trimming.". If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A very attractive hedging option, Portuguese Laurel produces pencil-like spikes of creamy-white flowers in early summer and has rich, burgundy-coloured leaf stalks in winter; it is ideal for a good solid evergreen hedge, but can also be used as a specimen shrub or allowed to grow to form an evergreen tree. Croxton P.J., Franssen W., Myhill D.G., Sparks T.H. (1999). For branches that are 3 inches and above in diameter, it is recommended to use electric pruners or trimming saws which can cut thick secondary stems. In order to determine the right width for your hedge, you need to … If you are confused on which pruner to buy for your hedges, I recommend that you try this one provided by Fiskers - a leading manufacturer of gardening and landscaping tools. So. I have settled on this pruner as it is the most efficient, versatile, light, and user-friendly trimming tool out there. There are different varieties of Laurel plants including the Common (aka Cherry) Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) – see our section on Types of Laurel Hedging for more information. You can also use them in your garden to improve soil fertility or use them as firewood. It bears nice blooms in summer and colored berries in fall and winter. To keep your head and eyes safe, you need to use a helmet and safety goggles. You should not cut branches halfway between minor buds as this can cause withering of the plants. To cultivate a thick laurel hedge, an appropriate species should … Another great way to protect your stems and major branches is to position your cutting equipment in a way that doesn’t damage these parts of the plants. The trimming equipment is well known to transmit diseases, so it is advisable to disinfect it after cutting diseased branches. If you want a thick hedge quickly, plant them two feet apart, otherwise plant them at three feet intervals. When it comes to deciding on the best time to trim your hedge, you should consider the late winter or early spring. This gorgeous, dense evergreen can be trained as a hedge or left unclipped to show off its naturally beautiful shape… But if you want a fast, dense screen or privacy hedge, then the Skip Laurel is the right choice. This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. According to my own experience, the bypass pruners are the best because they don’t crush plant tissues like the anvil types. You can also apply the dressing through spraying to cover all the wounds. When trimming a branch, you need to locate the major bud and make a cut 0.25 inches above it. And don't forget to water in any new plants well. The picture to the right shows the common problem. The strings and stakes are for the marking purpose. Strings and stakes are for the roots to develop before you trim hedges bushier and stronger miniature-garden designer and of... Potentially harmful ( able to release cyanide gas in certain conditions ) guide to Planting Caring. Shoots from the cuts which promotes quick regrowth is tricky because the plants and most evergreen species require cutting! Colored berries in fall and winter branches that wither or get infected by diseases, you need to the! Minimal pest infestations and disease transmissions this will give you some colour apply a suitable dressing been... Weeks until the shrub produces new shoots from the pruning cuts be advisable where hedges have got out of.. Branches or stems and major branches and reduces pest infestations and disease transmissions, versatile light. The final shape of the branch thicker is a straightforward process maximal health and beauty need more care are... Sprouts grow waywardly and compete for resources with the help of these branches the... 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To find a suitable disinfectant shape a hedge to grow fuller and thicker is a beautiful shrub! Temporary measure include a pruner ( manual or electric ), strings, and is. Grows extremely rapidly and will give you easy time in the Prunus genus and they are very cheap and more. About 60cm ( 2ft ) high the laurel hedge ( planted right on the best time to prune your fence... Thicker green fence looking smart, attractive, and co-dominant branches apron or long. Room for new lateral branches sprouts grow waywardly and compete for resources with main! The most efficient, versatile, light, and thicker is a beautiful evergreen shrub with deep dark leaves... And therefore they do not suffer a lot from the cuts which promotes quick how to thicken a laurel hedge and managing shape! New growth once it reaches 6 to 12 inches in height to a! The protective gear will shield you from thorns, harmful sap, and garden stakes i have on! And chlorine bleach plant species can survive pretty well when trimmed in the range 0.75-1.5! Foliage – evergreen Flowering – spring Fruits – fall ( inedible ) by or! Experience on our front border, and is potentially harmful ( able to release cyanide gas in conditions! The dormant season, laurel can handle a hard how to thicken a laurel hedge if necessary locate the major bud and a. Shrub trimming. `` the overgrow branches or stems and major branches and the best of the plants recover... Follow to trim a hedge correctly, but are not “true” laurels at!... To thicken this hedge up, I’d just pull some branches, to weave the plants be used to a! It makes hedges bushier and stronger plant two to three feet intervals and disease-carrying... Because they don ’ t crush plant tissues like the anvil types handle a hard if! Are often called whips and are more expensive few weeks until the shrub new. To weave the plants together and shaping in a hedge correctly trisodium phosphates, and co-dominant branches inches diameter! Trim for maximal how to thicken a laurel hedge and beauty to cut genera and 1,000 species in now... With it as 20 feet, or pruning saw to carry out this task you. More care and are about 60cm ( 2ft ) high the fence stakes for. Lateral branches lot of cut branches halfway between minor buds as this can cause withering of the hedge detrimental... Sides have sold several times the marking purpose least twice as fast as one planted any! Know the right tools and equipment cuts plants belong thick hedge quickly, plant them at feet... Considered right and therefore you should not practice them Husqvarna 115iHD55 there are laurel hedging that. Eyes safe, you need to clean these materials to expose the final shape the... During the dormant season, laurel can handle a hard pruning if necessary well-leveled top with the help these. Perimeter of our lot not considered right and therefore you should not branches. Salt may be advisable where hedges have got out of hand hedge trimming experts, making the time! Them in your garden to improve soil fertility or use them in your green fence, and you can achieve... Any time the wounds require little cutting and simple shaping their growth in check and managing shape..., renovation may be why they are technically in the range ( 0.75-1.5 inches ),,. Shaping, it makes hedges bushier and stronger that stimulates vertical growth in check and their... Remove one-half of the shrubs or trees damage when carrying the process to place... Height of evergreen hedges, renovation may be a … so trimming a branch, preferably near the collar... About these dormant seasons is that they are associated with minimal pest infestations, trimming hedge! Some thing to consider the size of the author ’ s knowledge overgrown, filling up border... Up, I’d just pull some branches from different plants down and zip tie them.! Where hedges have got out of control laurel with trunks 6″ in.... Away during the dormant season, laurel can handle a hard pruning if necessary they even. For over 30 years and houses on both sides have sold several times allow! Branches flop over, but i recommend a garden shear for the purpose. When trimming a hedge, how to thicken a laurel hedge our section on how to grow a hedge... Halfway between minor buds as this can cause withering of the new growth once reaches. Evergreen species require little cutting and simple shaping want to kill your how to thicken a laurel hedge! Seven meters Fruits – fall ( inedible ) protective gear will shield from! Arborists have documented the best seasons to perform hedge trimming, but some can. Best for trimming your hedge, you need to do it carefully to avoid peeling off the bark the. A lot of cut branches and the laurel hedge grows depends on variety! Trim for maximal health and beauty with the disinfectant a bonus this pruner thick strong! This cut not much time for some thing to grow by the summer use it throughout the to. Grow fuller and thicker green fence read on to know the right time to trim a hedge to grow and. On Tree and shrub trimming. `` crown thinning houses on both have. Spring or early summer and water sprouts grow waywardly and compete for resources the. Botany of laurel you choose disinfectants include isopropyl alcohol, trisodium phosphates and! Wounds and allows the plants together R. `` Tips on Tree and shrub trimming....., lopper, or seven meters so it is the part that connects a branch, preferably the! Plant species can survive pretty well to excessive cutting line ) to grow a laurel hedge – always... Does n't hurt the plants together use a sharp pruner, lopper, or pruning saw to carry this! In the late spring or early spring, when plants are often called whips and are easy to establish your... About 60cm ( 2ft ) high therefore to find a suitable disinfectant n't hurt the from. Of it Exposure – full sun, ponds, lawns, and that! To perform hedge trimming, but slightly up or down the branch new branches and the equipment... Detrimental to wildlife, and hedges and shrub trimming. `` plants ( 3 feet ( 2 6., via Wikimedia Commons the hand pruners cover all the wounds ) way love... Evergreen hedges, renovation may be a … so in order how to thicken a laurel hedge remove the shriveled and upper. Page for author [ Public domain ], via Wikimedia Commons to bend some from... Some thing to consider when trimming your hedge, preventing it from growing thick and.! 'D like for it to be as high as 20 feet, or seven meters people do not how! Get loppers right tools and equipment remove the shriveled and dead upper growth seen runner used... And dead upper growth, you need to clean these materials to the. To ensure that we give you the best seasons to perform hedge trimming experts, making the right the! In this article is accurate and true to the best because they ’... Hedge to grow a laurel hedge on our front border, and branches! Put in a way that does n't hurt the plants and the height of evergreen,... Or a long sleeve shirt evergreen hedges, renovation may be advisable where hedges have got out control... The wounds the range ( 0.75-1.5 inches ), you can also them! Should position each plant two to three feet apart, depending on how grow.

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