Kingwood Center

By Shawn McClain

The grounds crew trims many hedges on Kingwood grounds. One particular hedge, is the hornbeam just outside of the greenhouse. Botanically known as Carpinus betulus, the hornbeam is a fast growing deciduous tree that can grow up to several feet per year. We like to maintain it using a traditional European style of pruning, so it has a nice, sculpted appearance. This means, it’s crucial that the hedge be trimmed regularly, so it doesn’t look overgrown and unruly.

It is quite a chore, but the end result is awesome.

Hedge at Kingwood

This English Hornbeam hedge serves as a good privacy barrier from the road.

English Hornbeam

Trimming the visible growth on the front and top of the hedge. Carpinus betulus is a hornbeam native to western Asia and central, eastern and southern Europe, including southern England. Because of its dense foliage and tolerance to being cut back, this hornbeam is popularly used for hedges and topiaries.

A Kingwood groundskeeper prepping to trim.

Carpinus betulus grows pretty quickly – about four to five feet per year, so it has to be trimmed and sculpted regularly. The crew takes on this task around this time every summer.

Trimming the hedge

Some formal hedges can be trimmed a few times a year, especially while they are actively growing.

Most of the trimming is also done by eye, since our hedges are well-maintained and regularly pruned.

A hedge sculpts this planting bed.

Enjoy our gardens!

One of the many beautiful hedges at Kingwood