Hedgelaying
Once, in the days before wire, plastic and electronic fencing, nearly all farms used to practice hedge laying in order to keep the fields stock proof. Hedge laying involves partially cutting through the stems of hedge trees and shrubs, then laying them over at an angle, and weaving them together to produce a stock proof living barrier. The hedge re-grows from the base.
Once rejuvenated in this way, a hedgerow can be kept dense and healthy for generations by careful management before being allowed to grow up to be layed once more. A hedgerow needs to be at least 3m and preferably 4m high to be layed. A reasonable period to aim for is to lay a hedge once every 15-20 years or so to prevent it becoming gappy, depending on the circumstances, use and height.
The hedgelaying season is generally from after the berries have disappeared off the trees in September, to before the sap starts to rise and the tree stems become pliant again, in April (all the months with an “r” in their name). Pliant stems are not much good for hedge laying as it makes notches difficult to form with a blade and damages the trees.
Hedgelaying Sequence (Image: Public Domain)
The clever thing about hedge lying which permits the trees/ shrubs to perpetuate, is the fact the stems are partially cut at the base, so that it will bend without breaking, yet still continue to grow. Provided a small strip of cambium layer just underneath the bark is kept in tact between the shoots and roots, the plant will regenerate.
Anatomy of a Laid Hedge (Image: Public Domain)
There are a number of regional variations in how to lay a hedge, including the rather minimalist Devon and Welsh Border styles, to the more robust Midland or bullock style which is designed to withstand the weight of cattle pushing against it straight away. The Midland style might be robust, but it is also regarded by many as the most ornate of all. Similarly, the principal working tool of the hedge layer, the billhook (a type of curved machete) shows many regional styles. With all of the variations in styles and the challenge of arranging such unruly vegetation in an ordered and artistic way which still functions as a hedge, you would be forgiven for thinking they give hedge layers points for style, right? They do!
Midland Hedge Design
The National Hedgelaying Society have an annual National Championship competition where the standard of craftsmanship and level of hedgelaying competition is very high. Are you worried you might not be able to “cut it”? Don’t worry, they do training courses which would be an ideal compliment to a course in Horticulture or Conservation at ADL if you are thinking of an outdoor career which involves maintaining barriers and hedges.
References
National Hedge Laying Society, 2016.
Hedgerows- A Guide To Their Management- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Hampshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, 2010.
Maclean, Murray. Hedges and Hedgelaying. British Trust For Conservation Volunteers. Crowood Press, 2006.
By Andy Patterson
Andy has been a biology and science teacher since 2002, and a natural health therapist since 1998. His original degree was in Ecology and is well experienced in the Life Sciences generally, from biology, medicine and clinical sciences to horticulture, ecology and the environment. he divides his time between a therapy clinic; teaching, tutoring & lecturing. Andy is a passionate believer in the power of education to transform people’s lives, and gives 100% support to helping students achieve their goal.
