Pruning My Hornbeam Hedges

July 8, 2020

It's pruning time for the hornbeams at my farm.

This week, the outdoor grounds crew trimmed the tall hornbeam hedge in front of my main greenhouse. They also tackled the long hornbeam hedge that runs from my Summer House and along the road behind my Winter House. Botanically known as Carpinus betulus, the hornbeam is a fast-growing deciduous tree. In fact, it can grow about four to five feet per year. I keep a close eye on all the hornbeams - it’s crucial to prune them regularly, so they never look too overgrown and unruly.

Enjoy these photos.

: This tall hornbeam hedge grows in the parking lot directly in front of my main greenhouse. It is quite pretty here but serves primarily as a privacy and noise barrier from the road.

: Hornbeams grow quickly, so it is important to trim and sculpt them regularly. We do this task every year around this time. Hornbeam is also very hardy and frost resistant, which is good in this region.

: Here’s Chhiring working on the front sections. We use a traditional English style of pruning, which includes a lot of straight, clean edges. A well-manicured hedge can be stunning in any garden but left unchecked, it could look unruly.

: The English hornbeam is related to the beech tree, with a similar leaf shape. On the hornbeam, the leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. They become golden yellow to orange before falling in autumn.

: Looking up, the new growth can be seen growing wildly above the trimmed lower section.

: Using Japanese Okatsune shears specially made for trimming hedges, Pasang is able to prune the hornbeams so they are nice and flat. These shears are user-friendly and come in a range of sizes.

: I prefer this way of trimming because the cuts are very clean and smooth when done by hand.

: Chhiring continues on the front of the hedges from a ladder. A long pole is used as a guide to ensure everything remains straight.

: Here is Pasang working by hand on the upper sections from our trusted Hi-Lo. It is more time consuming to prune the hedge this way, but it is also more exact, and that’s important when sculpting formal hedges.

: Pasang moves on to the top of the hedge, so he can trim the sections flat.

: Here is what he has completed.

: And to the right is what he still has to do – it’s a big difference, but this shows all the growth from the past year. These hornbeams are so healthy and lush.

: Pasang is carried from section to section very carefully. This is also a good time for him to assess the pruning from another angle, and to decide where adjustments are needed.

: And look at all the cut leaves – this is just from the front of the sections.

: It is now beginning to look very straight and square, with the taller sections protruding just a bit.

: Here is a side view showing how the front is sculpted.

: There’s just a little more to do.

: And here is the finished hedge – trimmed beautifully.

: Along the back of the Summer House and the Winter House is another European hornbeam hedge. Because it is planted on a gradual slope, it needs to be pruned using a step method. The top and upper sides of a hedge are exposed to lots of light, so they grow more vigorously. Here is the hedge before it was done.

: And here it is after it was completed. Carpinus betulus is a hornbeam native to Western Asia and central, eastern and southern Europe, including southern England. Because of its dense foliage and tolerance to being cut back, this hornbeam is popularly used for hedges and topiaries.