When you’re planning out a new beech hedge, it’s super important to think about more than just how tall it’s going to get—you’ve got to consider the width, too! Even though beech hedges are known for being kept relatively slim, you still need to make sure there’s plenty of breathing room between your hedge and the neighbor’s property. Here’s a quick breakdown of the dimensions you should keep in mind.
Future Width is All About the Pruning
How wide your hedge grows is mostly up to you and how you prune it back. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to trim the bottom a bit wider and let it taper slightly toward the top (like a soft A-shape).
Here are the typical measurements to plan for:
- Minimum Width: About 20 inches (50 cm).
- Minimum Height: Around 28 inches (70 cm).
- Maximum Height: Roughly 13 feet (400 cm).
If you’re dreaming of a wider, fuller hedge, just make sure you don’t go too radical with the shears.
The final height is really a matter of personal taste. While they start at a minimum of about 28 inches, they can easily soar up to 13 feet if you let them! Just a pro tip: check with your local HOA or city ordinances first to see if there are any height restrictions in your neighborhood.
If you have a smaller yard where space is at a premium, you might want to consider Hornbeam instead of European Beech when planting your hedge. Hornbeams stay naturally narrower and have less aggressive root systems. Plus, they’re pretty low-maintenance and don’t mind sandy soil one bit.
Give Walls and Property Lines Some Space
Once a beech hedge is established, transplanting it is usually a no-go. Because of that, you really don’t want to plant it too close to walls or buildings. While you can control the width of the branches with a good trim, you can’t control what’s happening underground with those massive roots.
Over the years, beeches develop incredibly strong roots that have been known to lift up sidewalk pavers or even interfere with underground utility lines. That’s a headache with the neighbors (and the city) you definitely want to avoid—not to mention the potential repair costs!
Don’t Forget “Maintenance Space”
To keep your beech hedge looking sharp, you’ll want to give it a trim twice a year. While cutting back the top and the front is easy enough, getting to the back side can be a real challenge if it’s pressed right up against a fence.
I always recommend leaving at least 20 inches (half a meter) of space between your hedge and the property fence. This gives you enough “elbow room” to get back there and prune the rear side without breaking a sweat!
