Will my beech hedge survive?

Hello forum, my first post here. Please let me know if I'm in the wrong part of the forum.
I have an established beech hedge just over 12 metres long which screens me from a plot of land on which an access road will be built immediately adjacent to the hedge and almost parallel to it - 1 metre distant at one end and 2+ metres at the other. Because of the peculiar topology of the development, the road will be almost 1 metre below the level of my hedge resulting in a sort of mini cliff edge. I’m guessing the beech at the close end and perhaps many more along from it will suffer and die off? Perhaps the entire hedge is at risk? Or is there something I can do to mitigate its fate?

 

I think we need to know how well established the hedge is.Even then its difficult to say as not easy to know how much root they are likely to lose in the process.
Hopefully they will not lose too much and the roots your side will sustain the hedge until it settles down.

 

Thanks for your reply. Our neighbour who was here before us thinks it's 25 years old. It's maintained at around 2 metres high at the close end and 3m at the 'safer' end. The circumference of the first and most at-risk plant is around 8 inches at the base. Then a mix of diameters (some only 3 inches) planted every 12 inches or so. Yes, I'm hoping as you suggest, since only one side is affected it will cope.

 

Surely the developers will need to build a retaining wall when they cut away the ground to build the road? Otherwise there's a risk that the soil will wash away onto the road. They should then backfill it so that the hedge's roots aren't left exposed. Hopefully 1 to 2 metres away will leave enough root for the hedge to cope.

Something else to check is that they'll leave enough space for you to be able to get to that side of the hedge to cut it. If you have to stand on the road/pavement a metre lower than the bottom of the hedge, it will be a lot more difficult (and risky if there's no pavement).

 

Thanks Jenny for pointing that out, I'll be contacting the builders next week to ask how they intend to finish off.

 

Hi
Interesting first post .. plus welcome to the forum

is it the local council building the road ? Or a developer?

have you seen the plans ? If not you need to

The retaining of the soil that jenny has mentioned is important as if in the future the soil etc goes onto the road and causes a accident etc it will be your fault as you own the land

The hedge should be ok as it’s only the one side but that all depends how much is dug out and how close and deep next to the hedge ..

If me take photos before during and after ..

 

I think it probable that the beech hedge will survive; you could ensure that it receives water if conditions cause a drought situation. There is the potential for your land to be disturbed by the process,in which case the hedge could move as well.
Consider whether the circumstances are covered by the Party Wall Act 1997; perhaps your solicitor could advise.
A further matter to consider is whether the constructor can perform his operation(s) entirely within the owned land or whether he may seek to venture on to your property to enable this work; you may seek to obtain indemnity before it is started, or at least ensure an evidential correspondence trail exists.

 

Thanks for that - a reason to be optimistic at least. After looking at the development plans again it looks as though the hedge is planted on the developers land about 12 inches from the boundary so we’ll be somewhat at the builders’ mercy and they’re a surly bunch. My neighbour has heard that a fence has been proposed. Even so it could be months before it’s built - this is a service road for several new-builds they’re currently prioritising. I expect to get a chance to see the results of the excavation quite soon.

 

Thanks, yes I have an outline of the plans - it's a developer who's building.

We don't have access to the site but I'll be asking to view next week, I'll definitely take photos.

 

Thanks infradig. The work will be carried out entirely on the developer's own land and I've noted from the plans only this morning, the hedge is actually planted just inside their boundary so I think I'll be needing their cooperation. In fact our house was built by this particular developer 35 years ago - it's even possible his firm planted the hedge. Perhaps an appeal to his sentimental side will ensure the hedges survival!

 

As the hedge is on the developer's land, it's theirs to do as they like with even if that means ripping it out. Probably best if you can to have a friendly chat with them to find out what they are planning and express your concerns.

 

Thanks for all replies to my earlier query. Attached is a pic taken soon after the initial works showing a cut about a metre deep and just under a metre from the cliff edge to the beech root. The good news (so far!) - the hedge is in fine fettle. Out of view to the right of the picture (the neighbour's screen) the cut becomes a much closer shave - around 40 cms - seemingly without immediate impact although this is less mature growth.
Fingers crossed!, the pounding and rolling of diggers and dumpers keeps my nerves on edge...

 

Hopefully they'll be filling in the gaps behind the wall - next to the root system, or have they done that already? That could be the thing that causes problems, if anything does, but I'd agree that beech is pretty sturdy, and should manage - especially as it's managed so far with being cut into.

I know what you mean about the noise. I can't sleep properly just now and that's just because of wind [ the external type ] never mind having that sort of noise going on.

 

There'll be no wall - yes that worries me too. The developer has said he'll put down some grass seed (!) and install matting (!!). The road will be higher and there'll be a kerb. I wonder if (hope that) the hedge will put up with what seems like minimal consideration. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the hedge is on the developer's land so I'm inclined to doff my cap and accept the few crumbs.