The art of hedge laying.
In 55BC Julius Caesar recorded the fact that the “Nervi” tribe in Flanders, “Cut into slender trees and bent them over so that they many branches came out along the length: they finished this off by inserting brambles and briars, so that these hedges formed a defence like wall, which could not only not be penetrated but not even seen
through” This type of hedge management is known today as Hedge Laying. Hedge laying keeps the hedge young and vigorous, it is not clear how long a hedge will last using this method of management but it has been suggested in Britain that some of their hedgerows may originate in Roman times (McDowell, 2011).
Before World War Two (The Great Emergency), every farmer knew how to manage and lay a hedge properly and it was one of the most important jobs during the onset of winter. After the war, labour had become scarce and with the availability of wire fencing, barbed wire and mechanical hedge cutting replaced men with axes and slash
hooks. This was followed by a gradual decline in hedge management and from the 1960s it became fashionable to remove hedgerows, fill in the ditches and create large fields that suited the larger tractors and machinery.
This in turn led to a decline in many species of birds and a sudden realisation of the damage to the biodiversity that removal of the hedgerows had led to. Hedgerows are the green veins of our countryside yet it still remains easy to remove a hedgerow without penalty.
Hedge laying is a method of rejuvenating a hedge, it is the art of cutting hedgerow stems partly through near ground level so that they will bend without breaking and will continue to grow (www.hedgelaying.ie). The laid stems are arranged to form a stock proof barrier, new growth comes from the cut stump rejuvenating the hedge and thickening up the base. A lot of our hedges no longer fulfil their basic function as barriers because they have become gappy or bare at the base. Hedge laying can restore many of these hedges. The technique of hedge laying was widespread in Ireland (see table) in the middle of the twentieth century but the practice has largely died out. The revival of interest in hedgerows through the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) has resulted in resurgence in the practice.
The hedge laying season runs from the 1st of September to the end of February. It is an offence to cut, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing in a hedge or ditch during the nesting season beginning on the 1st of March and ending on the 31stof August. This ensures that birds can rear their young undisturbed and that the
sight and scent of wild flowers such as the meadowsweet, elderflower, and wild rose can be enjoyed throughout the summer (www.hedgelaying.ie).
through” This type of hedge management is known today as Hedge Laying. Hedge laying keeps the hedge young and vigorous, it is not clear how long a hedge will last using this method of management but it has been suggested in Britain that some of their hedgerows may originate in Roman times (McDowell, 2011).
Before World War Two (The Great Emergency), every farmer knew how to manage and lay a hedge properly and it was one of the most important jobs during the onset of winter. After the war, labour had become scarce and with the availability of wire fencing, barbed wire and mechanical hedge cutting replaced men with axes and slash
hooks. This was followed by a gradual decline in hedge management and from the 1960s it became fashionable to remove hedgerows, fill in the ditches and create large fields that suited the larger tractors and machinery.
This in turn led to a decline in many species of birds and a sudden realisation of the damage to the biodiversity that removal of the hedgerows had led to. Hedgerows are the green veins of our countryside yet it still remains easy to remove a hedgerow without penalty.
Hedge laying is a method of rejuvenating a hedge, it is the art of cutting hedgerow stems partly through near ground level so that they will bend without breaking and will continue to grow (www.hedgelaying.ie). The laid stems are arranged to form a stock proof barrier, new growth comes from the cut stump rejuvenating the hedge and thickening up the base. A lot of our hedges no longer fulfil their basic function as barriers because they have become gappy or bare at the base. Hedge laying can restore many of these hedges. The technique of hedge laying was widespread in Ireland (see table) in the middle of the twentieth century but the practice has largely died out. The revival of interest in hedgerows through the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) has resulted in resurgence in the practice.
The hedge laying season runs from the 1st of September to the end of February. It is an offence to cut, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing in a hedge or ditch during the nesting season beginning on the 1st of March and ending on the 31stof August. This ensures that birds can rear their young undisturbed and that the
sight and scent of wild flowers such as the meadowsweet, elderflower, and wild rose can be enjoyed throughout the summer (www.hedgelaying.ie).
Hedge laying.
This is an example of hedge laying showing how poorly the hedge has been cut. It has not been tied in and will leave gaps in the growth.
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Hedge laying.
Here you can see another poor example of hedge laying. Not tied in properly.
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Top finishing.
Here you can see how to finish off the top of a hedge.
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Hedge laying.
A hedge that is layed and finished off, giving it strength and beauty.
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The finished hedge.
Here you can see the finished hedge. It is a true work of art. The hedge has been layed in an 'A' frame shape allowing protection to the creatures that live within from both the rain and predators. Flail cutting leaves the hedge with a 'Flat' top which allows penetration by rain and it also enables predators such as the Magpie to run along the surface and to steal eggs and young hatchlings.
