Mature versus sapling trees

I plan to set up a tree hedge with Syzygium and am struggling to decide between matured trees (500mm) or sapling ones (300mm). The price increases 6-8 folds with the matured trees.

Wonder how many years of growth I am saving here and whether it is worth it? Is it much easier to upkeep the matured trees as they are already in shape and require less pruning and training? Is there any downside to buying matured trees except their skyhigh price?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Is the 300mm and 500mm the pot width?

Trees grow quickly and they may adapt better if planted at a younger age.

Make sure you follow the planting instructions and prepare the ground. Allow enough space from any fences too - so they aren’t cramped.

 

Speak to a landscaper. They'd be more likely to be able to answer your questions.

 

Thanks. Any recommendation for a good landscaper in Sydney? Do they charge per hour of consultation?

 

I have no idea. Try Google & then phone them. I'm sure they'd give you an idea on price.

 

I planted mock orange (murraya) in my front yard to make a hedge. Opted for the smaller pots due to price and that the plants get used to the environment from an early age. Make sure you plant each plant the correct distance appart. Just google that to find out. It looks a bit silly at the start but they quickly grow into the space. Hedges also love regular pruning.

 

Discuss with a good wholesaler as each species growth varies eg 200mm buxus japonica will take a year to become 350mm+ wit fertiliser, water and a LIGHT trim in early spring to stimulate growth. My new magnolias have almost doubled in 3 months and will be a 400-500mm pot size (started at 200mm 3 mths ago) by October. I based all this on wholesaler guidance and so far its on track. I didnt want to pay 3 to 5 x price for more mature when I could wait 6-8 months.

Dont buy retail as you are already buying older and more costly plants (often 20-30% or even 75% savings). You can blend mature ones with some that will grow faster etc. And dont forget to allow for width and setback from back fence etc and planting distances in smaller plants too. Wholesalers have pot and height variance - at a price. And are specialists in maintaining them. Bunnings just buy cheap and water the bejesus out of them and crowd them so they get bugs. Lucky to get two similar

Syzygium can grow fast in the right conditions. eg regular water, fertiliser, light. Make sure it is psylid proof or it will be a waste of $$$
Syzygium Backyard Bliss XXXXL Super Large 100Lt Bag lily pilly | Budget Wholesale Nursery Sydney
"instant hedge".

But I went for this at 400mm pots
Search Results | Budget Wholesale Nursery Sydney as it has a nice green and orange / red leaf.

Budget Wholesale Nursery Sydney dont offer phone support
Sydney Wholesale Nursery do offer phone and retail support.

Another good retailer for seeing these plants is Flower Power.

 

Daley’s tree website is great for advice. They say:

‘If you wish to create a hedge which is really dense and bushy from the ground upwards it is advisable to plant young, small plants. Many people look at the small seedlings in tubes and imagine it will be years before they will achieve anything which looks like a 'hedge' however, if larger plants are chosen the result can often be that the hedge is rather gappy at the base. Also larger plants are more expensive and are more likely to fail than small ones.’
Hedge Plant - Australia garden | Privacy | Queensland | native

 

I am in the landscape industry. The size can depend on the height of the established plant too. Normally, you are gaining a few years growth if you are planting mature as opposed to infantile. Yes, it is better to plant a younger version, but the challenge for people is time, the time it takes to grow to what they want to achieve. Not everyone wants to wait for growth. If you want instant results, this is where the price differential is really.
So, if you have time and can wait, plant the smaller version, it is likely the safer option too (as mentioned in other posts).

 

Thanks. What is your overall experience with Syzygium? Have you been able to have dense thin hedge with Syzygium? Spoke to a couple of Wholesaler and some recommended Acmena for denser foilage instead while some retailer recommended Syzygium. I feel that the size of the Acmena leave looks rather small and cheap as compared to Syzygium

 

Hi I have seen 300 mm Syzygium Resilience in excellent shape between 1.5 - 1.8m high and .5 m wide for under $100.

Budget nursery sells 500mm Syzygium Backyard Bliss (resilliant) for under $250. Check availabilty. Not sure about the 6-8 folds thing, hope its not over $600 each!!.

Anyway i would buy 300s , water in with liquid fertiliser and set up a dripper system .

 

I am not using it for that purpose. I have two corners (1.5 x 1.5) and wanted to break up the colour too with a plant that would grow from a 300mm pot (425mm high) into a 2-3 metre high x 1.3 metre wide lightly dense screening feature. There are three per corner. Between the two corners is a long wall with buxus japonica intended as a lush green hedge. My plan is 12months growth before needing hedging a trim and shape. I couldnt afford $9K for more mature plants and will be patient. I spent under $3K.

Syzgium has many varieties. Mine is "cascade" with a red / orange and green leaf. (Lilly Pilly). "Resiliance" may be better suited to hedge in shades of green. Tends to be tall and not so wide so planting distance may add to cost. You can also get topiary versions of resiliance which is a sign of a hard stalk making pruning a regular chore. "Back yard bliss" is a instant hedge variety with 1.5m height and tends to stand tall.

How tall a hedge ?

Magnolia can be a good flowering hedge as it produces abundant green leaf on a light quickly grown stalk of new wood. Flowers with perfume too. Grows fast. 2-3 metre height (Port Wine Magnolia) 200mm to that height could be 5 years. 1.5m in 2 years.