Beeches are some of the fastest-growing deciduous trees out there, and they look absolutely stunning as a focal point in a large backyard. Because they put on so much new growth every year, they’re also a top-tier choice for privacy hedging. They fill in quickly to create a solid screen, and with regular trimming, they stay looking sharp and manicured.
How Fast Does a Beech Hedge Grow?
If you’re thinking about starting a beech hedge, it helps to know what kind of growth you’re looking at. Here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers:
Annual Growth:
- Height: About 20 inches (50 cm)
- Width: About 16 inches (40 cm)
- Trunk: Roughly 0.4 inches (1 cm)
Full-Grown Trees (if left alone):
- Height: Up to 150 feet
- Trunk Diameter: Up to 80 inches
Pruning is Part of the Deal
When you plant a beech hedge, you’ll want to get into a routine of pruning it twice a year. Regular trimming is the secret to keeping your hedge healthy and dense, and it prevents those thin, “leggy” spots where the leaves drop off.
Beeches actually go through two growth spurts a year. The first one kicks off in early spring (around March), and the second wave starts in July.
Now, if you’re planting a beech as a standalone specimen tree to be the star of your lawn, you can pretty much let it do its thing. As long as it has plenty of room to spread out, a solo tree doesn’t really need pruning.
European Beech vs. Hornbeam Hedges
This is the big debate in the gardening world! Both varieties make fantastic hedges, and both actually hang onto most of their leaves throughout the winter. They won’t drop the old foliage until the new buds start pushing through in the spring.
Just a heads-up: the leaves do turn brown in the fall after their color change, which isn’t everyone’s favorite look, but it provides great year-round privacy.
The European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) starts leafing out as early as April, while Hornbeams (Carpinus betulus) usually wait until May.
Hornbeam is the most popular choice for hedging because it’s budget-friendly, grows incredibly fast, and isn’t picky at all about soil or sun. On the other hand, the European Beech is often considered the “classier” option because of its gorgeous, lush growth habit.
Both types develop strong, dense branches and handle pruning like a champ.
One pro tip: Don’t try to mix the two in the same row! The European Beech grows so vigorously that it will eventually crowd out and smother the Hornbeam. Pick one and stick with it for a uniform, healthy hedge.
