Advice
Help & Advice
Hedge laying
Over time hedges deteriorate, especially if they are neglected. With a very poor hedge it may be necessary to coppice the stems or grub it out and replant.
Where
growth is good but thinning near the base, laying will rejuvenate
a hedge by encouraging new growth. Hawthorn is the best species
for laying but most of the common deciduous hedge shrubs such
as ash, blackthorn, elm, field maple and hazel are also suitable.
There are several regional styles but the general principles are similar. Hedge laying is undertaken in winter. The hedge should be allowed to grow to about 2.5-5m (8-16ft) in height with main stems 5-10cm (2-4in) thick at the base. Stems larger than about 20cm (8in), awkwardly-shaped or out of line should be removed. Work usually takes place on the ditch side of the hedge.
Side growth is cut away from the lower stems and debris cleared from the bottom of the hedge. Elder should be removed and the stump dug out as it will not lay.
The main upright stems (known as pleachers) are cut almost through near the ground on the opposite side of the face to the direction of lay and pushed over at an angle of approximately 35 degrees in the direction of the rising slope. Stakes of hazel or ash are driven into the hedge line every 40cm (16in) and the pleachers woven between. Binders or heathers of coppiced hazel, sweet chestnut or willow are then twisted around the top of the stakes to secure the pleachers. The cut stubs of the pleachers are trimmed to keep the stools from rotting. The gap at the end of a laid hedge is usually filled with unwanted pleachers cut from the hedge.
Properly trimmed a well laid hedge may last 50 years or more
before it starts to thin at the base.
Hedge laying is a skilled activity. It is also potentially
dangerous requiring appropriate equipment and safety wear.
Many agricultural colleges and the BTCV run courses; e-mail information@btcv.org.uk or visit the website
The National Hedgelaying Society lists training courses and publishes a list of hedgelaying contractors.