Pleaching is a garden technique that involves weaving tree branches together to create a dense hedge or partition. The word "pleaching" is pronounced /ˈpliːtʃɪŋ/ (plee-ching) and is derived from the Old French word "plechier" which means "to fold." The spelling of this word can be confusing as it contains the letter combination "ea," which can be pronounced in different ways in English. However, in this case, the "ea" is pronounced as a long "e" sound followed by a hard "ch" sound.
Pleaching is a horticultural technique used to train and shape trees or shrubs into a formal, decorative pattern. It involves intertwining and weaving the branches of multiple plants together, creating a living screen or hedge that is dense and often aesthetically pleasing.
The process of pleaching typically begins by selecting young, flexible plants with slender branches, such as willows, fruit trees, or hornbeams. These plants are spaced apart and their lower branches are pruned to encourage a straight, upright growth. As the plants grow, their branches are carefully interwoven with each other, either horizontally or diagonally, and secured in place using ties or stakes. Over time, the branches will fuse together, creating a solid structure.
This technique allows the gardener to create a natural and beautiful boundary or partition, combining the functionality of a hedge with the artistry of topiary. Pleached trees are often used in formal gardens, large estates, or urban landscapes to define pathways, mark boundaries, or provide privacy. Their dense foliage can also serve as a noise or wind barrier.
Pleaching requires patience and skill, as careful pruning and training are necessary to achieve the desired shape and density. However, when done correctly, pleached trees can create stunning living sculptures that add structure, elegance, and visual interest to any outdoor space.
The word "pleaching" has its roots in the Middle English term "plachen", which originated from the Old French word "plachier", meaning "to bend" or "to fold". The Old French term was derived from the Latin verb "plicare", which meant "to fold" or "to plait". Over time, "plachier" in Old French evolved into "pleach" in Middle English, which eventually became the term "pleaching". The etymology of the word reflects its original meaning, involving the practice of bending and intertwining branches or stems of trees or hedges to form an interwoven lattice pattern.