Tree Pleaching
The old fashioned form of Tree Pleaching is super trendy again and comes from the French word 'plecher' which means to braid. It is the method of planting trees in a very straight line and overtime the branches intertwine to create a hedge but with a difference, the hedge appears to be on stilts after the lower branches have been removed.
Pleached trees look best used along fencelines and boundaries, creating a stunning visual impact in any garden or landscape and providing you with screening and underplanting opportunities.
Tree pleaching is quite traditional and can be a little complex. Nowadays landscaping design has become popular with creating a similar effect with by clear trunking trees that have a central single leader trunk.
In effect you will create a hedge or foliage on top that remains with clear single trunks sitting below.
You can also do this with screening trees. You won't create a hedge as such on top but still a lovely effect.
Clear trunking your trees has the advantage of creating space underneath the trees to enable additional planting of low shrubs, ground-covers or grasses.
You can also add in some lighting underneath for a fabulous visual effect.
This look is very easy to achieve! Read on!
How to Pleach/ Clear Trunk Your Trees
You don't need to be traditional as such with the intertwining but you can create a pleached effect very easily by clear trunking.
Firstly make sure your trees have central leader straight trunks.
Make sure to measure up the trunk and make a mark of the height you wish to stop at. It is best to start at a lower height first and see if you like the height first, you can always go up higher later. Note that once you have removed the lower foliage, it rarely grows back, so also be sure before you begin!
Remove the lower branches on your hedges or trees as close to the trunk as possible with secateurs.
If you wish to traditionally pleach your trees you may need to purchase 'Standard' hedging varieties which have been trained with taller clear straight trunks. Also the assistance and advice from a gardener or landscaper who can give professional advice can be considered.
When Ordering: If you are purchasing trees from us for this purpose please be sure to let us know when you place your order in the comments section so we can ensure that we specifically pick trees that have straight central leader trunks.
Best Hedging Varieties
Ficus microcarpa 'Flash'
A lush green variety most popular for pleaching and clear trunking. Note: Ficus roots can be evasive, but pleaching can help keep roots under control.
Laurus nobilis - Bay Leaf Tree
Mediteranean native with aromatic foliage + culinary uses of the foliage.
Waterhousea floribunda - Lilly Pilly
Australian Native, an excellent Lilly Pilly tree form with hedging options that respond beautifully to clear trunking.
Best Tree Varieties
Tristaniopsis laurina 'Luscious' - Water Gum
Australian Native and generally grown with already clear trunks
Olea europaea - Olive Trees
Bring the mediterannean into your home. Trending in landscape design + produce your own Olives!
Backhousea citriodora - Lemon Myrtle
Australian Native and beautiful flowering trees, generally grown with already clear trunks
Elaeocarpus reticulatus - Blueberry Ash
Australian Native and a tall grower, generally grown with straight single leader trunks. You can remove the lower branches to the height you require after planting.
Magnolia 'Little Gem' or 'Teddy Bear'
Dark green foliage with brown undersides and large white flowers. Generally these are grown with already short clear trunks.
Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' - Ornamental Pears
Narrower, columnar and upright form of the Pyrus varieties. These are deciduous - dropping their foliage in winter, autumn colour and spectacular flowering in spring.
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer/ Cleveland Select' - Ornamental Pears
Pyramidical and upright form. These are deciduous - dropping their foliage in winter, autumn colour and spectacular flowering in spring.
Variety Options: These are just some of the variety options. You can of course clear trunk any tree variety that has a central leader trunk. Give it a go, you won't be disappointed!
Ready to Create this Look?
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