tree pleaching / getting hornbeam to hold leaves over winter

[tsspsteristapleacha]

Hello all, looking for advice from anyone who has knowledge about pleaching.

Our neighbours cut down the hedge along our border. We live on a steep hill, so the wall is about 3 m high (the hedge was on top of that on their side)

So, we planted about 15 4m hornbeam trees along our property border last March (2019). We were told to leave them for a year to settle and they are all still doing very well and must have grown the best part of another metre this year. However, they did lose all their leaves last winter (I think the nursery advised this was expected due to the shock of relocation etc? They did say they thought the trees held their leaves the previous year)

We really want them to keep their leaves this year and I'm really keen to get some advice on whether we can make this happen? From what I understand, we have to keep them thinking they are a hedge rather than a tree, so would some pruning at the top be the best thing?

Which leads me on to the next question. We originally wanted them to be pleached (don't really care how formally, just to present more of a visual border. Can we just sort of plait them together or do we need some sort of trellis.

And lastly, could anyone advise who is the best person for this? Gardener? Tree surgeon? Or another sort of specialist?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Sheal]

Welcome to the forum.

We really want them to keep their leaves this year and I'm really keen to get some advice on whether we can make this happen?

Hornbeams are naturally deciduous, so there's very little chance they will hold their leaves through the winter months.

We originally wanted them to be pleached

They are already pleached. Pleached trees are lacking branches on the lower part of the trunks.

Can we just sort of plait them together or do we need some sort of trellis.

I think you may mean espaliering.

could anyone advise who is the best person for this? Gardener? Tree surgeon? Or another sort of specialist?

Fruit trees are quite often espaliered. Definitely not a tree surgeon, but maybe an arborist could help you or put you in touch with someone that can.

 

[Tetters]

Welcome to the forum @tsspsteristapleacha Good advice from Sheal there. I also found this link which might help and wondered if you are a member of the RHS who can offer advice. https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=155

 

[Tetters]

What Is Pleaching: Tips On Pleaching Hedges And Trees

Pleached trees, also called espaliered trees, are used to create arbors, tunnels and arches as well as the "hedge on stilts" look. Click this article for further information about the pleaching techni

www.gardeningknowhow.com

I`ve been looking at this link too, and have been learning lots this evening about hedges on sticks. I think I would just trim them a bit during September if they were mine, and go for the natural look. Hope you find what you`re looking for.
It seems the Hornbeams hold on to their brown leaves in winter just like the Beech does. Will you underplant these?

 

[tsspsteristapleacha]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, much appreciated. Stackpath yes I quite like the natural look too, the pleaching/espalier-ing was more of an effort to try and keep some sort of screen there (as the trained branches might be more effective if wound together into a more linear shape if you see what I mean.
Yes I do hope to underplant, but unfortunately that is a bit lower down in a very long to do list at the moment.....
Thank you again, and I'll keep you updated as to how we tackle this and how we get on!

 

[Tetters]

I reckon that a quick trim to keep the tops neat and tidy (now is the right time) would not only be the quickest solution but would provide a lot more cover for privacy. It will be great to see your results - looking forward to that