Beech hedging not retaining leaves

Paul Gaffikin

Can anyone give a reason why our beech hedging hasn't retained its leaves this winter? Could it be that it wasn't trimmed at the right time or does it benefit from a feed before winter?

Obelixx

If you want a beech hedge to retain its foliage over winter you should give it its annual trim in August.  As a trimmed hedge is continually renewing its leaves it should be fed with a good general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone in spring and a mulch of well rotted garden compost in autumn.

If you miss the August pruning deadline, it's best to wait till spring..