Garden Q&A: What would make my beech hedge more wildlife-friendly?

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Mixing beech hedging with other plants is possible; however it makes the hedge thicker, says Peter Dowdall. File picture

Question

I’ve been growing a beech hedge in my 14m suburban garden for about seven years and have mixed feelings about the result. The beech itself has grown fine — I keep it at about seven-feet high. 

For me, the main issue is the lack of life it seems to support. I don’t think it’s had any bird nests, and it has very little insect life around it, even compared to the escallonia nearby. 

I’m belatedly thinking I should mix it with something more wildlife-friendly — even a native privet. 

Any suggestions are welcome, including how I’d do it. Should I remove some of the beech trunks, or just plant next to them?

Answer

In truth, I would be slow to remove the beech. It’s unlikely that you would find any birds nesting lower than seven feet due to the risk of predators. 

It won't be alive with bees and other pollinators in the same way as escallonia or privet but that’s not to say that it isn’t offering any other benefits. 

Smaller insects may be feeding and nesting in it, small mammals may hibernate within the base of the hedge and also it offers environmental benefits such as air pollution, carbon sequestration and flood mitigation.

Beech hedge: 'I don’t think it’s had any bird nests, and it has very little insect life around it.'

If you do want to add to the hedge you could plant a privet or similar in front of or next to the beech — however doing so will make the hedge thicker and thus, eat into the garden space.

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