The question of whether a beech hedge or a hornbeam hedge should be planted in the garden cannot be easily answered. Both trees differ from each other only in a few points. Ultimately, the location and your own taste decide.

Hornbeam hedges also tolerate shady locations

Beech hedges are choosy when it comes to location

Beech trees are more selective than hornbeams when it comes to location. The hornbeam is not a beech, but belongs to the birch family.

Red beech hedges prefer one:

  • sunny or partially shaded place
  • slightly damp location without waterlogging
  • not too much draft

while a hornbeam hedge can also cope with shady locations.

A hornbeam hedge tolerates short periods of drought because it has much deeper roots. It can even be planted on slopes.

The planting distance to houses and sidewalks

An important criterion is the planting distance of the hedge to walls, houses or sidewalks. Beech trees are flat-rooted and develop very strong roots. They can damage the masonry or lift the paving slabs. They should definitely not be planted near utility lines because they will burst the pipes.

You can place a hornbeam hedge close to walls or roads. The heart root penetrates deep into the earth and thus poses no threat to utility lines, masonry or paving slabs.

Beeches are poisonous, hornbeams are not

An important point when choosing is the toxicity of the plants. This is especially important when children or animals live in the house.

Beech, especially the beechnuts, contain toxins that can cause mild symptoms of poisoning.

The hornbeam is completely non-toxic. It can also be planted in horse pastures or in nurseries without hesitation.

The difference in leaf color

In spring and summer, beech hedges and hornbeam hedges hardly differ in leaf color.

The fall foliage, however, is different. Beech foliage turns bright orange while hornbeam foliage turns yellow.

Both trees make good hedges

Both beech hedges and hornbeam hedges provide good privacy protection, as some of the leaves of the deciduous trees remain on the trees until next spring.

Both types of hedges need to be trimmed twice a year.

tips

Red beeches prefer a mild climate. If the weather is rougher where you live, you should rather plant a hornbeam hedge.

Category:

Garden design