A welcome return to Hartsholme Country Park to continue the very satisfying work of laying
a hedge that we started in December. This is a centuries-old country craft that thickens
hedges by generating new growth from near the base, making a stock-proof barrier and
improving it as a habitat for wildlife.
a hedge that we started in December. This is a centuries-old country craft that thickens
hedges by generating new growth from near the base, making a stock-proof barrier and
improving it as a habitat for wildlife.
Those with experience in hedgelaying were in great demand to give demonstrations at the start and advice throughout the day, and their support was much appreciated.
The work was slightly more challenging than in December as there were several large
clumps of trees to work around, and most had trunks that were too thick to lay, so they had
to be thinned out to create a clear line to place the pleachers (stems) that we were laying.
There was much scratching of heads as we assessed which trees to remove, which to leave
as ‘standards’ in the hedge boundary and which stems to lay.
clumps of trees to work around, and most had trunks that were too thick to lay, so they had
to be thinned out to create a clear line to place the pleachers (stems) that we were laying.
There was much scratching of heads as we assessed which trees to remove, which to leave
as ‘standards’ in the hedge boundary and which stems to lay.
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There were 14 of us, including 2 new volunteers, so although the thinning out and other
preparation work took longer than anticipated, we had still made good progress by the end
of the day. Time ran out to finish a short section of partly prepared hedge between two laid
sections, but that can be done by others in the future.
preparation work took longer than anticipated, we had still made good progress by the end
of the day. Time ran out to finish a short section of partly prepared hedge between two laid
sections, but that can be done by others in the future.
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Al, the Volunteer Coordinator, was pleased with what we achieved: ‘you have done a really
good stretch, looks really good so many thanks again to you all. You have done the
preparation work for some other volunteers so it’s all useful!’
good stretch, looks really good so many thanks again to you all. You have done the
preparation work for some other volunteers so it’s all useful!’
I echo Al’s thanks. Everyone worked very hard all day, and given that nearly half of our
group hadn’t done any hedgelaying before, I was very pleased with what we achieved.
Jude
group hadn’t done any hedgelaying before, I was very pleased with what we achieved.
Jude
More information
Interestingly, there are at least 30 different styles of hedgelaying used in the UK, depending
on geographical area, what trees and shrubs are in local hedges, what the hedge is used for,
local weather conditions and so on.
www.hedgelaying.org.uk/pg/info/styles.aspx
https://www.gardensillustrated.com/garden-design/how-to-lay-a-hedge/
https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/how-to-lay-a-hedge/
Interestingly, there are at least 30 different styles of hedgelaying used in the UK, depending
on geographical area, what trees and shrubs are in local hedges, what the hedge is used for,
local weather conditions and so on.
www.hedgelaying.org.uk/pg/info/styles.aspx
https://www.gardensillustrated.com/garden-design/how-to-lay-a-hedge/
https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/woodland-activities/how-to-lay-a-hedge/
