{"id":611954000198,"date":"2025-11-25T09:50:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T09:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/uncategorized\/to-fedge-or-not-whether-tis-better-in-willow\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:42:27","slug":"to-fedge-or-not-whether-tis-better-in-willow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/hedging\/to-fedge-or-not-whether-tis-better-in-willow\/","title":{"rendered":"To Fedge or Not to Fedge? Living Willow Hedges"},"content":{"rendered":"

That is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the willow to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fedgeune, or to take arms against a sea of fedges, and by opposing end them.<\/h2>\n

Willow<\/a> fedges are living structures made from closely planted willows. Ornate structures can be built up; chairs, houses, pergolas and so on, but in its simplest form a willow fedge is just a living fence.<\/p>\n

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Willow is a fantastic tree, designed to survive where most trees will not: both in water and the driest dust. It is resistant to a host of diseases and pests, and it is generally easy on the eye. All of which makes it ideal for any number of purposes.<\/p>\n

But, dear reader, willow grows really, really fast. Willow is a racehorse amongst trees.<\/p>\n

And therein lies the problem. You buy your willow cuttings (or setts), or if you are really in a hurry you can get rooted cuttings. You plant them (following your plan) at 6-9″ intervals and you elaborately weave them in a beautiful criss-cross fence, or maybe an igloo.<\/p>\n

Now, for the impatient amongst you, the results are super fast, almost without equal in our climate. Great!<\/p>\n

But if you do not keep your fedge under control, within a short time it will turn into a thicket. And then a forest.<\/p>\n

Therefore, you should plan to hard prune your fedge about 3 times a year, and dispose of all that woody green waste.<\/h4>\n

Here’s some inspiration to get started:<\/p>\n

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