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Supporting pleached trees in raised bed with wall

#1 · 29th January 2022, 1:54 pm

I’m due to plant 5 Hornbeams in the next few weeks. 1.8m standards. I’ve read all your advice re planting and staking but 2 questions pls.

firstly if I plant 50 cm from wall, is it still possible to secure a brace or should I double stake instead? What size stakes and brace would you suggest? 55mm for stakes?

Secondly

The raised bed (south facing with some shade) is open so not worried about roots, re underplanting should I stick to small perennials,, had hope for a few shrubs but bed is only 1m wide .

Thanks

#2 · 9th February 2022, 5:18 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your comment about pleached trees.

Pleached trees are a great contemporary way to add both height and privacy into a garden.

With pleached trees, you need to make sure they are well supported as any wind or exposure can cause them to blow over until they are properly established. I'd always brace pleached trees for the first two years as you can see below. Remember that your hornbeam are going to grow and the main stem will thicken significantly in the first 3-5 years.

You need stakes that can be driven in by at least 40-50cm within the ground to take into account the 'sail' factor of the pleached part of the tree. They are basically top-heavy until established. So the stakes need to be able to take this potential pivot movement in high winds.

The cross bar on the supports should come just below the bottom line of the pleached part. Then it's both hidden and supportive. Too low and it is ugly and can be less effective same if its too high up.

I don't see a problem with adding some nice shrubs with your herbaceous perennial. I think it would add a nice layer to your planting. Evergreen hebes are a good idea for smaller spots and would compliment the hornbeam.