[Helencus]

I need a quick growing hedge as a border to a stream along my field. Can't be poisonous to horses and needs to be evergreen. What would you go for as I suspect leylandi would cause complaints from planners ( can they even complain tho?)

[Hermit]

I thought anything evergreen should be regarded as poisonous? How about a beech hedge, that greens up in summer but keeps its brown leaves through winter.You could interplant with thorn shrubs which are quick growing if you require a quicker barrier

[HappyHippy]

Willow is one of the quickest growing trees you can get (not evergreen though ), and they love wetter conditions. You could lay the trees into a hedge quite easily and once you get the size/height you want just keep trimmimg it back (handy if you've got a wood burner  or want to sell/give away willow cuttings) If you want some just let me know - I can post some cuttings to you (allow 1 per foot)
Take care,
Karen x

[Helencus]

Is it? I can keep the horses away from it just prefer not to take chances so I know laurel is out. I need something that's going to grow rapidly to give us privacy I planted a native hedge last year and it's not really taken off at all.

[darkbrowneggs]

In my experience fast growing or slow growing they take a few years to establish, then your fast growing really cause a problem as they need constant maintenance.

A good evergreen hedge would be holly.  As usual it is slow to start, but once established is fairly quick to grow and gives a nice looking evergreen hedge which is no problem to animals.  

Don't forget that any young hedging plants will need protection from things that will eat them - for example, rabbits, sheep, cattle, horses etc etc. And also may need weeding out to prevent being overshadowed by weeds.

All the best
Sue

[Helencus]

Thanks Karen There are 6 very old willow trees along there but they're massive and protected so can't touch them. I read about willow screens and thought about this but the river is an sssi would the EA object do you think?

[robert waddell]

willow is one of the easiest trees to grow in spring cut the shoots of the branches push in the ground and they grow simple

[Helencus]

So if I attack under cover of darkness as they're protected how big should I cut the shoots ?

[dyedinthewool]

Griselinia is an evergreen - grows reasonable fast - very hardy for windy areas, makes good windbreak - not sure if okay for all animals - though the cows next door to our old house ate it with out any dire results.  Did save us cutting it on that side
If you can start with 12" - 18" plants it will grow about 12" in a year - plant every 2' - be cruel and top every year so that it branches out and doesn't just grow up leggy.  Ours grew to 6' in 5 years, but we did keep it trimed twice a year.  It will grow from cutting - stick a whole load in the ground/pot leave for a year and they will have rooted.

[robert waddell]

just the twigs  if there is other willow trees of a different variety that you like cut them for planting it is just coopposing

[HappyHippy]

Chop off some long thin twigs Helen - no thicker than your finger, then chop them into 8 inch lengths and as Lillian says, just chuck 'em in the ground. As long as the cuts are neat they should all take without problems. If you're unsure plant 2 per foot and pull out the excess once you know how many have taken 

[robert waddell]

in good soil they will grow  3ft easy

[Helencus]

Cheers both when the weather warms up I'll have a go. Cheaper than buying an evergreen hedge .

[HappyHippy]

As long as you do it before the sap starts rising (and wee green buds form) they'll get off to a flying start !

[doganjo]

I can corroborate that - got willow pencils from Karen last year and they've nearly all taken.  Some are over 3 ft already!