Beech or hornbeam??????

[PurpleParis]

We are thinking about puttng a hedge in our garden....can't decide between Beech or Hornbeam....we are trying to attract more birds into the garden so thought of Beech as it bears berries but then the ground isn't the best so someone suggested Hornbeam as a similar alternative.....would appreciate some input please..............

[AlBags]

Both those can get huge.
Why don't you use other natural hedging like hawthorn, may, hazel, buckthorn, briar rose, maple and dogrose?
Stay away from elder .. and the hazel if near stone (or old) walls.

[rowanwitch]

Beech doesn't have berries, for birds a mixed hedge would be better, berberis is very popular with blackbirdsand thrushes, holly is a good nest site for smaller birds include one of each sex to get merries kings are fwemale and queens are male yes that is the right way round..., Hawthorn or quickthorn is a great allrounder and I'd probably want some hazel for the nuts preferably the purple leaved one. Add in some thing flowery and pretty like escallonia and everyone should have something they like. I f the hedge was gong to be fairly long I's also include some of the evergreen loniceras and some portugese laurel .Just put lots of organic matter in the soil and a generous helping of bonemeal