Thin beech hedge

[Ken134]

Hi

I have a beech hedge that's about 4 years old. The issue is that it's very thin and sparse. It hasn't thickened up at all. I am a complete novice at gardening and have no clue what to do.

My wife wants it ripped out if it's not going to thicken but I quite like the idea of having a nice hedge.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

[Chuck]

Are you sure it is even alive. Most hedges are evergreen and the ones I have seen that are not evergreen drop their leaves and do not have dead leaves hanging on.

 

[Ken134]

Yeah it's alive. It goes green in the summer and brown in the winter. I gave it a cut in autumn so that it keeps it leaves during winter

 

[oneeye]

If you keep them topped and trimmed on top. they will thicken up from the bottom.

 

[NigelJ]

Immature beech hold their foliage over the winter even when dry and brown. As they get bigger they drop the foliage. The idea is that the dead foliage continues to give some privacy.

 

[Ken134]

If you keep them topped and trimmed on top. they will thicken up from the bottom.

Thanks. Is it OK to cut them now or do I have to wait for a certain time of year