It’s that time of year again. The root balls are in! We have recently taken delivery of a selection of holly, laurel, hawthorn and beech hedging plants.   

What is a root ball? 

Hedging and trees are often supplied in the form of a root ball.  This is when a plant has been grown in the ground and is then lifted out of the ground to be moved. The roots are trimmed and the soil is retained around the remaining roots. The roots are then wrapped in hessian (or metal meshing for larger trees) which can be planted along with the tree. As it breaks down over time the hessian actually benefits the plant by adding roughage to the soil. 

Why is autumn/winter the best time of year to plant root ball hedging? 

During the winter months trees and shrubs enter a dormant period, making it the ideal time to dig them up and move them. Planting them during this period gives them the chance to settle in to the new ground before the tree begins to sprout again in the spring.  

What are the benefits of root ball hedging? 

There are several benefits to planting hedging using root ball shrubs or trees, one of which is that the plants are already fairly well grown (4 o 7 foot usually) so you will have an instant hedge rather than waiting for several years for seedlings to grow and the uncertainty of whether or not the seedlings will take. Another good reason to go for root ball hedging is that you can make some great savings. Because root balls are grown in bulk in the ground, rather than the more labour intensive method of growing in pots, root balls can be a fair bit less expensive than pot grown trees or shrubs.  

What are the best plants for hedging?  

There are several factors to take into consideration when you are deciding which plants to use in your new hedge. Factors like the style of your property and its location will affect which plants you choose. You might also consider whether you want year round privacy, in which case you would choose an evergreen such as laurel, or if you are happy to have a bit more light in the garden during the winter, a deciduous shrub like hawthorn could be a good option. Are you trying to keep animals out of your garden? If you are, you might use holly, hawthorn or rosa rugosa with spikes that will naturally deter pests. 

If you would like further information about hedging and the services we can offer, then please do get in touch.