Planting European Hornbeam and Yew Trees in My Maze
The garden maze here at my Bedford, New York farm is transforming more and more with each row of plantings.
My three-acre living maze is located in a lush pasture just outside my Winter House. I started planting it one year ago with a variety of different hedges, espaliers, trees, and shrubs to add texture and interest. All of the specimens will grow tall enough to prevent walkers from seeing the paths ahead. So far, I've planted European beech, European hornbeams, boxwood, parrotias, espaliered apple trees, American sweetgums, barberry, and London planetrees. Most recently, I added more European hornbeams and a selection of yew trees, Taxus, a coniferous evergreen, related to pines, spruces, firs, cedars, and cypress. The trees are placed according to a very detailed map I designed specifically for this maze.
Enjoy these photos.
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- We picked up 30 yew trees from Select Horticulture in nearby Pound Ridge. I selected all the specimens myself – they are all healthy and lush. The yew, taxus, is a small to medium sized evergreen that grows up to 65-feet tall. The leaves are flat, dark green, and arranged spirally on the stem.
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- We also picked up 50 European hornbeams, Carpinus betulus – a fast-growing deciduous tree. I have many hornbeams here at the farm. The tree is native to Western Asia and central, eastern, and southern Europe, including southern England. Because of its dense foliage and tolerance to being cut back, the hornbeam is popularly used for hedges and topiaries.
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- The maze can be seen from my Winter House. Here is the area designated for the newest grouping of yews and hornbeams.
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- The first step is to mark exactly where the trees will be planted. The maze is drawn out on a map, so Fernando and Pete set up the landscape twine according to the map’s specifications. This day was quite hazy because of the Canadian wildfires – one can see the difference in these images.
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- Here, Pete secures the twine on the other end of the designated row.
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- Once the area is marked, Pete uses our edger to cut the lines for the bed.
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- Pete gets up right next to the twine, so everything is completely straight.
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- Here, one can see where the line of sod is cut.
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- Next, Pete goes over the same lines with our our new Classen Pro HSC18 sod cutter. Since the area is already edged, the sod cutter goes over the lines smoothly and more deeply. Everything must be done as precisely as possible for the maze.
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- Pete rolls up the sod in sections, so it is not too heavy to transport.
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- Here are several pieces of sod neatly rolled up. It will be used in another section of the farm.
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- Pete continues to cut the sod to make the bed wider. This sod cutter works quickly and efficiently. It doesn’t take long to cut the entire bed for the yews.
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- The bed is now wide enough for the yew trees. Yews do best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to full shade.
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- Meanwhile, holes are dug in a nearby bed for the European hornbeams. These trees are very adaptable and also do well in full sun to full shade.
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- In assembly line process, each tree is placed into a designated hole, still in its pot. This way, we can make sure there are enough holes for each tree and all of them are lined up perfectly. Afterward, the trees are removed from the pots and positioned into their new hole with the best side facing the path.
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- Hornbeams are often confused with the common beech because of their similar leaves; however, the hornbeam leaves are actually smaller and more deeply furrowed than beech leaves. The leaves are deciduous and alternate, with serrated margins.
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- And a trench is dug out for the yew trees and all of them are carefully positioned and equally spaced in the trench.
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- Once all the trees are in place, the burlap and ties are removed. This is very important. Some gardeners will leave the wrapping in the ground, but I prefer to remove everything around any trees that are planted at the farm, so there is nothing blocking its root growth. Some burlap is also treated to prevent it from disintegrating in the ground.
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- Here is our pile of burlap – all the tree root balls are now bare.
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- I always say, “if you eat, so should your plants.” For all of these, we’re using Plant-tone, an all-purpose organic fertilizer for trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers and vegetables. It’s made from only natural organic ingredients and fortified with beneficial microbes to improve soil structure without burning.
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- The fertilizer is made of insoluble granules that release nutrients as it biodegrades.
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- The yews are carefully backfilled. Another rule is “bare to the flare” meaning only plant up to the flare, where the tree meets the root system.
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- And here they are all planted and mulched. These yews are ready for a good, deep drink.
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- And so are the hornbeams. The maze will take some time before it is complete, but I am so happy with how well it is turning out so far – it’s already stumping some of those who walk through.
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