🌳 Hedge Height Calculator
Estimate hedge growth timelines, plants needed, and row spacing for your garden
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| Species | Growth Rate (ft/yr) | Max Height (ft) | Recommended Spacing (ft) | Growth Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leyland Cypress | 2.5 – 3.5 | 60 – 70 | 5 – 8 | Fast |
| Privet (Ligustrum) | 1.5 – 2.5 | 10 – 15 | 1 – 2 | Fast |
| Cherry Laurel | 2 – 3 | 20 – 30 | 4 – 6 | Fast |
| Arborvitae / Thuja | 1 – 2 | 20 – 30 | 3 – 5 | Moderate |
| Hornbeam (Carpinus) | 0.75 – 1.25 | 30 – 50 | 5 – 8 | Moderate |
| Beech (Fagus) | 0.75 – 1 | 40 – 50 | 4 – 6 | Moderate |
| Holly (Ilex) | 0.5 – 1 | 10 – 25 | 3 – 5 | Slow–Moderate |
| Boxwood (Buxus) | 0.25 – 0.5 | 5 – 10 | 2 – 3 | Slow |
| Yew (Taxus) | 0.25 – 0.5 | 30 – 40 | 2 – 4 | Slow |
| Target Height | Fast Grower (3 ft/yr) | Moderate (1.5 ft/yr) | Slow (0.5 ft/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft (0.9 m) — from 1 ft starter | 1 yr | 2 yrs | 4 yrs |
| 5 ft (1.5 m) — from 1 ft starter | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 8 yrs |
| 6 ft (1.8 m) — from 2 ft starter | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 8 yrs |
| 8 ft (2.4 m) — from 2 ft starter | 2 yrs | 4 yrs | 12 yrs |
| 10 ft (3 m) — from 2 ft starter | 3 yrs | 6 yrs | 16 yrs |
| Run Length (ft) | 1 ft spacing | 2 ft spacing | 3 ft spacing | 5 ft spacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 11 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| 20 ft | 21 | 11 | 7 | 5 |
| 30 ft | 31 | 16 | 11 | 7 |
| 50 ft | 51 | 26 | 17 | 11 |
| 100 ft | 101 | 51 | 34 | 21 |
The hedge height is very important, whether one wants privacy, shelter or simply nice sight in the garden. Hedges come in various sizes for different uses. For instance they sell in 5-6 feet for security, 3-4 feet for decoration and only 18 inches for low borders or small plants.
Like this one gets a clear idea about the options of different heights.
How High Should a Hedge Be
When dealing with laws, the situation becomes a bit harder. The law allows hedges up to 2 metres high, even so there are other parts to consider. Legally, high hedge height is that more than 2 metres, so around 6.5 feet.
But that does not mean that every hedge must be cut exactly to that level. The council of the place decides the end based on every separate case. And here the point: there is no real maximum for the upper part of hedgse.
In front gardens usually stricter rules apply. In many living areas, bars and hedges in front limit to 3.5 feet. In California, most home farms follow local laws, that commonly limit hedges to 6 up to 8 feet.
If a hedge sits on the edge of the street, one treats it the same as walls and bars for hedge height. Hedges, meant four marking territories, can be limited to 4 feet.
Some rules for plant hedges require that the materials be laid every three feet, with minimal hedge height of 36 inches during the growth. Recently planted hedges require three years to reach the wanted full height of eight feet.
High hedges give real security, that a simple wooden fence at six feet can not reach. People do not care about big trees or hedges, but a hedge of 10 or 20 feet would start a whole local discussion. The best green and flowering bushes for hedges can reach or stay at 5 up to 10 feet.
Bamboo grows as high as owners want and does not need to be wide to do its role. Carpinus betulus, used as tree or hedge, can reach 75 feet in some climates, but stays around 20 feet in others.
Hedges that were cut low want to regrow in height if one leaves them without trimming. According to the species, the growth can reach from 18 inches up to 4 feet during one year above the cut level. A practical method is to cut hedge height first by 12 inches, later allow it to grow 8 up to 10 inches yearly until the ideal height and shape is reached.
Some species allow bigger height by means of skipping trimming past theprior cut each year, which gives tiny widening always.
