How and when do I take cuttings from a beech hedge?

[Scottishnewbie]

Finally made the decision to reduce dramatically the amount of "garden" I have so I can concentrate on veggies and decided to plant a beech hedge.

We have several beech hedges nearby so access to take cuttings isn't a problem.

Only problem is that I cant find on the web when and how I should be doing it!

Can anyone help please?

[Jeanied]

Hi SN - I found this when I did a search under beech hedge propagation - it is the A part of one of those Q and A slots when the public ask an expert.

'To propagate Beech from cuttings is extremely difficult and I would not recommend using this method. The most popular method used is by sowing seed which is quite easy to germinate. The other method - which is not that expensive - would be to plant bare rooted saplings/whips which can be easily obtained from a specialist tree nursery. They can be purchased from one foot to four foot in height and now (November) until early spring is the ideal time for planting. Beech is a very slow growing hedge but if you start with established saplings you will soon reach the height you require'.

I suspect you are more at the expert end than the amateur SN - but I reckon seeds are your best bet.

[Two_Sheds]

I googled "propagate beech" and got the same as above: "The easiest way to propagate beech at home is from seed, which should be collected as soon as it is ripe in late autumn"
Royal Horticultural Society | Advice Search | Beech hedging

[Scottishnewbie]

you lot are just fabulous! I never thought to google "propagation"...which is no doubt why I couldnt find anything helpful. Where would I be without the vine!!!

So it looks like I'm going to have to shell out after all! Pity when there are so many hedges around us.

Seeds would be great but I want something that looks a bit 'hedge-like' before I'm drawing my pension!

off to check out prices...

[Hilary B]

If you have any beechy woods near you, go looking for seedlings in early spring. In some places you will find them growing thickly, just dig up a bunch of 6" high ones about the time the hedges have newly put on next year's leaves.

[Scottishnewbie]

If you have any beechy woods near you, go looking for seedlings in early spring. In some places you will find them growing thickly, just dig up a bunch of 6" high ones about the time the hedges have newly put on next year's leaves.

grand idea Hilary - we have loads of beech hedges nearby so a daily walk with the dog should do the job perfectly i think...maybe i wont have to spend any money after all!

[Hilary B]

Hedges may or may not produce seeds. Best bet is a walk under the big trees.

[Scottishnewbie]

Hedges may or may not produce seeds. Best bet is a walk under the big trees.

I was driving home from the post office today and noticed for the first time a HUGE beech wood nearby....cant believe I've never even noticed it in the 3 years we've lived here!

[Frog-pond keeper]

Hi, I have just joined you ! I was looking for the best way of making cuttings from a beech hedge - just like Scottishnewbie . I had already found the same info concerning seeds or buying bare-rooted saplings...but I like propagating my own plants - so I persisted until I found you ! Thanks to you all, I finally have
THE solution - digging up some of the saplings in the garden !! - I should have thought about that one myself - but I often can't see the obvious ! Anyway thank you all again - this post is only 14 years and two months later than your last one !

[Nicos]

Good to hear you are sorted frog-pond keeper..

What other plants have you propagated ?…maybe you could share some tips on a new thread with ya?
Free plants are alway a bonus!

[rary]

Good evening and welcome Frog-pond keeper, as you have discovered, to create a beech hedge or to grow an individual tree, searching under a mature tree will give you some young saplings, evedently if for bonsai the younger the better, though I have never tried taking cuttings from beech trees I would go for soft wood cuttings at this time of year, cutting just below a leaf node and inset it into a pot of an open compost ( compost mixed with a lot of course sand) or simply into damp course sand, and here's a fact that might interest you, beech trees only produce viable seed every five years, or so I was told many years ago by a horticulturist 😉