Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A type of hedge on stilts is what is usually met
with; a kind of high-rise hedge (see
Figure 4.69).
a north to south line so that both sides of the
form obtain maximum sun. If you are after
fruit production, planting in an east-west
line will prolong harvest time. Many sites may
not give you the choice, especially if the
structure is intended to screen, so growth
may be uneven with varying light levels. This
will only mean that pruning will have to be
adapted to suit.
The plants are grown to form a thin wall of
foliage used for screening, windbreaks, to
define a space or to provide shade in a
confined space. It is closely allied to the art of
espalier (see page 131) and some fruit trees
can be grown in this manner. Select trees that
have flexible branches with a strong central
leader or main trunk. Planting young stock
such as a whip (see Figure 5.1, page 125)
ensures easy training. The ability to
spontaneously graft together (inosculate) is
an advantage (see Table 4.18).
A solid framework should be constructed
using poles together with tensioned wires or
wooden dowels/bamboo. There should be a
post for each tree except for the first and the
last post. Depending on the size of the tree or
shrub to be pleached, planting distances can
vary from 1 m to 2 m to 2.4 m between plants.
Allow approximately 3 m between rows if a
tunnel or alley is the object. Tie the trunks to
the posts and fasten the branches to your
framework. The branches below the desired
height of bare trunk can be shortened back to
30 cm to minimise the loss of leaf coverage
that could hamper establishment. They will
encourage a strong trunk, and can be cut out
completely after a few years.
To create a pleached structure, select trees of
the same age and cultivar so that growth can
be as uniform as possible. If you are after
foliage coverage, plant your trees running in
Table 4.18 Plants for pleaching; *can be pruned into old wood
* Acmenasmithii Lilypilly
* Carpinusbetulus Hornbeam
* Castaneasativa Chestnut
* Escallonia spp. Escallonia
* Feijoasellowiana Pineapple guava
* Hibiscusrosasinensis Hibiscus
* Malus spp. Apples
* Morus spp. Mulberry
* Oleaeuropa Olive
* Platanus spp. Plane
* Psidiumlittorale Strawberry guava
* Pyrus spp. Pear
* Sambucusnigra Elderberry
* Sysgium spp. Lilypilly
Laburnum 'Vossi'
Laurusnobilis Bay tree
Punicagranatum Pomegranate
Tilia Linden
Wisteria spp.
As the trees grow above the base of the wires
or bamboo structure, cut back the apical bud
to encourage branching. The subsequent
shoots can be tied to the support until the
branches interlace. Cut out completely any
growth that is growing at an angle away from
the desired plane. Cut back strong vertical
growth and remove any branches below the
designated screen (see Figures 4.70, 4.71
and 4.72)
When establishing a pleached structure,
prune in winter to promote growth and train
through the spring and summer. Once it has
 
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