Little time left to cut hedges this winter

Editorial Department • Published 18 Feb 2010 10:09 0 Comments

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Farmers may have gone too far with cutting back hedges

Under Cross-Compliance rules, hedge laying, coppicing and general trimming must be completed by February 28, before the bird nesting season starts, according to Terence Henry, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

Hedge laying is used to restore overgrown, gappy hedges. This thickens the hedge at the base providing shelter for wildlife and improving stock control on the farm.

Some farmers are restoring suitable hedges by laying as part of their agri-environment schemes. Laying involves partially cutting through the stems close to ground level and these are then bent over at an uphill angle of about 30 degrees. The laid stems or 'pleachers' may be staked to hold them in place. Hedge stems are too thick for laying if they are more than 20 cm diameter. These thicker stems can be coppiced by cutting them off at a slope close to ground level. New growth will emerge from the coppiced stumps. In both laid and coppiced hedges, gaps must be planted with a mixture of native species, including blackthorn, holly, hazel, guelder rose and hedgerow trees such as rowan. Fencing is usually required to protect the hedge from grazing. While there is a limited tradition of hedge laying in Northern Ireland, there are about 30 styles in the UK which have developed according to the farm enterprise and the native hedge plants.

Further advice on all aspects of hedgerow management can be obtained from Countryside Management Delivery staff at your local DARD office.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 18 Feb 10

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