Hedge options

[Crazy Chickie]

Found this tree/shrub supplier, might be of interest for anyone looking to plant trees or hedges

http://www.tree-shop.co.uk/products_tree_catalogue.asp

They seem to offer good prices, esp if your after quite a few plants to create a hedge. Hope it helps,
CC

[rhubarbontoast]

I'm currently planting a hedge. Things have slowed down due to heavy rain recently. I am planting hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan, field maple, bird cherry, crab apple, dog rose, willow and few holly. I am planting about 8 whips per metre in a staggered double row. I have 40m to do and it has been more work than I expected. Worst is over. I was advised (hopefully correctly) to plant by making a hole with a crow bar (a massive 6-foot long one!) and dropping the whip in and heeling it in. I've used black plastic as a mulch to plant through. So far so good. Need to cut the whips down to 6" now so that they bush out. I'm planting a mixed hedge for wildlife and for my interest so that I can identify the plants when I'm out and about. I'll hopefully see the benefit in about 5 years!

[Lesley Jay]

I really must say Rhubarbontoast that the hedge you are planting sounds fabulous. I am sure the wildlife will benefit greatly from it.

[rhubarbontoast]

Thanks- it doesn't look like much at the minute unless I hunker down and look through it from hedgehog level. I'm sure there will be a few failures along the way but I will mix a few other plants in there that I haven't been able to source yet like hazel and elder, I'll take cuttings when I locate some! I'm also hoping the apple and cherry will help my edible ones (although I'm also worried that they may attract the birds to my crop- or maybe the hedge wil distract them- who knows- as long as I get my share too!)