Planting trees and hedges is one of the best ways to transform any outdoor space. Whether you want more privacy, wildlife habitat, or just a better-looking garden, the right plants in the right places can make all the difference.
At Anglian Land Services, we help property owners create beautiful, natural landscapes that work for years to come. Let’s look at how hedge and tree planting can enhance your land and what you need to know to get it right.
Why Plant Hedges and Trees?
Trees and hedges do much more than just look good. They’re working hard for you in ways you might not realise.
Natural Privacy Screens A well-planted hedge creates privacy without the harsh look of fencing. Trees can screen unsightly views or create secluded areas in your garden. Unlike fences, living screens get better with age.
Wildlife Habitat Native hedges and trees provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and small mammals. A single mature oak tree can support over 500 species of wildlife. Hedgerows act as wildlife corridors, helping animals move safely through the landscape.
Climate Benefits Trees cool the air around them, reduce wind, and help manage rainfall. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Even small plantings make a difference to your local environment.
Practical Benefits Hedges and trees can reduce noise, prevent soil erosion, and even lower your energy bills by providing shelter from wind and shade from sun.
Choosing the Right Plants
The key to successful planting is matching plants to your site conditions and goals. What works in one garden might struggle in another.
Native vs Non-Native Native plants are usually your best bet. They’re adapted to local conditions, support local wildlife, and generally need less maintenance once established. Common native hedging plants include hawthorn, blackthorn, and field maple. For trees, consider oak, ash, or birch.
Site Conditions Check your soil type, drainage, and how much sun different areas get. Some plants love wet conditions, others need good drainage. Clay soil suits different plants than sandy soil.
Growth Rates and Sizes Fast-growing plants give quick results but may become overgrown. Slower plants take patience but often last longer and need less maintenance. Always check how big plants will get – that small sapling might become a 20-metre tree.
Purpose and Function Are you creating a boundary, blocking a view, or attracting wildlife? Different goals need different plants. Dense, thorny hedges work well for security. Open, flowering hedges are better for wildlife.
Planning Your Planting
Good planning makes the difference between success and disappointment. Take time to think through what you want to achieve.
Measuring and Mapping Measure your planting areas carefully. Mark out where plants will go. Consider access for maintenance and how plants will look from different viewpoints.
Spacing Matters New hedging plants typically go 30-60cm apart, depending on the species. Trees need much more space – check their mature spread. Crowded plants compete for resources and don’t develop properly.
Timing Your Project The best planting time is autumn or early spring when plants are dormant. This gives roots time to establish before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
Utilities and Boundaries Check for underground cables, pipes, and drains before digging. Know exactly where your boundary lines are to avoid disputes with neighbours.
Hedge Planting Basics
Creating a good hedge takes more than just digging holes and sticking plants in. The preparation work is crucial.
Soil Preparation Dig a trench rather than individual holes. This helps create even growth and makes watering easier. Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil.
Plant Selection For most hedges, use young plants (whips) rather than large specimens. They establish faster and cost less. Mixed species hedges look more natural and support more wildlife than single-species hedges.
Planting Technique Plant at the same depth as they were growing in the nursery. Firm the soil gently around roots but don’t compact it. Water thoroughly after planting.
Early Care New hedges need regular watering for their first year. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Protect from rabbits and deer if they’re a problem in your area.
Tree Planting Essentials
Trees are a bigger investment than hedge plants, so it’s worth getting the details right.
Choosing Tree Size Smaller trees establish faster than large ones. A 1-2 metre sapling will often overtake a 3-4 metre tree planted at the same time. Small trees are also much cheaper and easier to handle.
Planting Holes Dig holes twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The root collar should be level with the surrounding soil. Breaking up compacted soil around the hole helps roots spread.
Support Systems Most trees need staking for their first few years. Use proper tree stakes and ties that won’t damage the bark. Check and adjust ties regularly as the tree grows.
Aftercare Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth. Remove weeds and grass from around the base. Prune only to remove damaged branches in the first few years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others’ mistakes saves time, money, and disappointment.
Planting Too Deep This is probably the most common error. Buried stems can rot, and roots struggle in compacted soil. Keep the root collar at ground level.
Wrong Plant, Wrong Place Trying to grow acid-loving plants in alkaline soil or sun-lovers in shade leads to poor growth and eventual failure. Match plants to conditions.
Inadequate Aftercare Many plants die in their first year from lack of water or competition from weeds. New plantings need regular care until established.
Ignoring Mature Sizes Planting large-growing trees too close to buildings or boundaries creates problems later. Research mature sizes and plan accordingly.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
Established hedges and trees still need some attention to keep them healthy and looking good.
Hedge Trimming Most hedges need cutting once or twice a year. The timing depends on the species and whether you want flowers or berries. Trim little and often rather than hard cuts.
Tree Pruning Young trees may need formative pruning to develop good structure. Mature trees usually need less intervention. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
Health Monitoring Check plants regularly for signs of disease, pest problems, or stress. Early intervention is usually more successful and less expensive.
Working with Professionals
While many people can handle small planting projects, larger schemes benefit from professional help.
Design Expertise Landscape professionals can help choose the right plants for your conditions and goals. They understand how plants will grow and interact over time.
Quality Plants Professionals have access to better quality plants and know how to handle them properly. They also know reliable suppliers.
Proper Equipment Large trees and extensive hedge planting need proper equipment. This includes machinery for ground preparation and safe handling of large plants.
Ongoing Support Professional contractors often provide aftercare services and can advise on long-term maintenance.
Seasonal Considerations
Different times of year suit different aspects of planting work.
Autumn Planting Best time for most trees and hedges. Soil is still warm, rainfall increases, and plants have time to establish roots before spring growth.
Spring Planting Good alternative to autumn, especially for less hardy plants. Soil is warming up, and regular rainfall helps establishment.
Summer and Winter Generally avoid planting during these seasons. Summer heat stresses new plants, and winter cold can damage unestablished roots.
Making the Most of Your Investment
Good hedge and tree planting is an investment that pays dividends for decades.
Start with a Plan Think about what you want to achieve and how different plants will contribute to your goals. Consider how the landscape will develop over time.
Quality over Quantity Better to plant fewer, high-quality plants properly than many cheap ones poorly. Good plants with proper care will give better long-term results.
Patience Pays Trees and hedges take time to reach their potential. The old saying “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second-best time is now” holds true.
At Anglian Land Services, we help clients create beautiful, functional landscapes that improve with age. From initial design through to ongoing maintenance, we’re here to help you make the most of your outdoor space.
Whether you’re planting a single tree or creating extensive hedgerows, the right approach makes all the difference. Contact us to discuss how hedge and tree planting can enhance your landscape naturally.
