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Hedgerows

A few months ago I referred to ‘hedgerows’ in one of my posts not realizing that they are probably peculiar to the UK. Hedgerows have been an important feature of British countryside since the mid-18th century and the Enclosures Act, although there have been hedgerows as early as the Bronze Age.

Sinuous hedgerow c1000 years old

They were first used as stock enclosures and boundary markers, but also provided berries, nuts, firewood and other resources to the farmer. Their importance as nesting sites and a source of food to wild birds is well documented in the UK.

Much of the UK’s Agricultural land is split into small fields. In the North in particular, dry-stone walling is used for this. But in the South where the climate is warmer hedgerows abound.

Hedgerows are a mix of native trees [and these days a few foreigners] which are normally kept to a height which will prevent stock from roaming.

Hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, maple, Dogwood, spindle, willows, oak, ash, holly and hornbeam. Until the Dutch elm disease wiped out most of our elm trees thewere probably the most common tree. It is quite normal for some trees to be left to mature at intervals along the hedge.

Climbers such as brambles, wild roses, clematis, wild hops, black bryony and white bryony also abound providing much food for the birds and animals. Prior to the mechanised Flail wielded by a tractor. Hedges were ‘laid’ about every 7 to 10 years.

This is the result of a badly flailed hedgerow

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