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First Shipment Date: 9th November 2026
Bare Root Copper Beech Hedging - Description
- Bare Root Copper Beech Hedging Plants
- Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea'
- Also known as Purple Beech
- Moderate Growth Rate
- Semi-Evergreen
- Size: 3-4ft (100-125cm)
- Age: 3 Year Transplant Seedling
- Quantity: 1 Plant
- Form: Bare Root Hedging
- Recommended Spacing: 3 Plants Per Metre (Staggered is Best)
- Very popular hedging plant which can retain its foliage through winter
Bare Root Copper Beech Hedging - Uses
- Plant in rows approximately 30cm apart to create a hedge
- Develops into a neat and formal hedge
- Provides excellent privacy and structure
- Can also be planted individually to develop into a mature tree
- Copper Beech can be mixed through a Green Beech hedge for contrasting foliage
- Larger hedging plants will establish a substantial hedge more quickly
Bare Root Copper Beech Hedging - Planting Instructions
Planting Time
- Plant bare root plants during the dormant season from October to March.
- Avoid planting in frosty conditions.
Trench Preparation
- Dig a trench approximately 2.5ft wide and 1.5ft deep.
- Add approximately 4" of well-rotted farmyard manure to the base of the trench.
- Cover the manure with a fine layer of soil.
- This prevents the manure from coming into direct contact with the plant roots.
Positioning Plants
- Single Row: Space plants 30cm apart (approximately 3 per metre).
- Double Row: Space rows 35cm apart with a total of 4 plants per metre.
- Stagger or alternate plants when creating a double row.
- This creates a wider and thicker hedge.
- Backfill with topsoil.
- Ensure the base of each plant is just below the soil surface.
- Firm the soil around the plants.
- Level the soil around each plant.
Handling the Plants
- Watering is essential both before and after planting.
- Plant as soon as possible after the plants arrive.
- If planting is delayed, temporarily heel the plants into soil.
- Keep the roots protected in their packaging and away from direct sunlight.
- Take care not to damage the roots, bark or buds.
After Care
- Water regularly until the plants are established.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- If dry weather persists, water approximately every 2 days.
- Keep the planting area free from weeds.
- A new hedge should be weeded at least 3 times during the growing season.
- We recommend weeding in March, June and September.
- We recommend using weed membrane and mulch to help control weeds.
Pruning
- Trim beech once every year in late summer to maintain a neat and dense hedge.
Copper Beech - Quick Facts
- Beech is not native to Ireland but is now naturalised.
- Beech is one of the most common woodland trees found in Ireland.
- Sylvatica is Latin for "of the woods".
- Purpurea is Latin for "purple".
- The distinctive purple foliage is caused by anthocyanin pigments in the leaves.
- A mature beech tree can reach approximately 50m in height.
- Beech can be maintained as a hedge when pruned annually.
- Mature beech trees support a wide range of insect, mite and lichen species.
