Burning bushes - what you need to know

Editorial Department • Published 11 Feb 2010 09:57 0 Comments

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Burning cut branches - remember to check that wildlife will not be disturbed or destroyed.

As a result of hedge restoration work you may have piles of cut bushes or hedge trimmings sitting in fields ready to be burned. Birds, such as the wren, will be attracted to these 'habitat piles' that could provide shelter for safe nesting place this spring. For this reason you must check piles of branches prior to burning or alternatively leave all burning of cut branches until September. This is to avoid damaging any birds, nests or chicks, or other animals which may have taken shelter there, and complies with the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

The unregulated burning of agricultural wastes is no longer permitted under the Waste Management Regulations (NI) 2006. However, small quantities of plant matter (up to 10 tonnes of waste plant tissue in any 24-hour period) may be burned in an open bonfire by the producer of the waste at the place of production provided an exemption is obtained from NIEA. Many farmers have already applied for these exemptions on their Single Application Forms which are submitted in May each year.

Where the bushes have been cut on habitat areas, for example species rich grasslands, it may only be burnt off-site on improved, unimproved or semi-improved grassland. Any vegetation on the fire site is destroyed, and the soil becomes enriched with mineral ash so that the fire site usually gets colonised by rank invasive vegetation such as nettles, with only very slow if any recovery to more natural conditions.

Further information can also be obtained from your local Countryside Management Branch staff.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 11 Feb 10

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