Hedges

Hedges have been used as field boundaries in Britain since the Roman times. Rambling fields and hills all over the countryside patterned with these hedge boundaries are a familiar sight.

 

Both Romans and Anglo Saxons used hedges.

 

Used as estate boundaries or to show a persons property boundary, systematic planting did not happen until the first enclosure movement of the 13th century.

 

Hedges were usually planted in the lowlands of Britain , higher lands used dry stone walls.

 

The planting of hedges grew in the 15th century. Farming increased as the population increased, more land was needed for agricultural purposes and these fields needed to be defined. It wasn’t until the Enclosure Movement of the 18th and 19th centuries that the planting of hedges really expanded.

 

Towards the latter part of the 17th century English landlords began purchasing village lands and fenced or hedged them in. They then charged farmers for using the land. This was known as enclosure.

 

This Enclosure Movement was very contentious and caused tremendous misery for the common man.

 

These hedges were kept under control by hedge-laying, a somewhat lost art nowadays. If you wish to learn more about hedge-laying an absolutely superb site to visit is www.hedgelayer.freeserve.co.uk, an extremely informative site.

 

The modern day farmer has neither the time nor money to layer each one of his hedges, but the good news is there are incentives and volunteer run organisations that help with keeping this art alive. If you wish to learn or have a try at hedge-laying the BTCV run volunteer holiday breaks, www.BTCV.co.uk.

 

The majority of the fields that I see when driving around my own area of South Wales have holes in the hedges which the farmer quickly remedies with a wire fence. Once or twice a year the tractors are out cutting the hedges mechanically. You can’t blame the farmers for these procedures but ultimately it is having an effect on the wildlife and the hedges will eventually disappear.

 

There are many types of hedges to be found in gardens and the countryside. A hedge is usually created from a row of closely planted specimens. When trained in size by regular care can make your garden look attractive and can also be of benefit to the wildlife.

 

Hedges can be used for a wide variety of reasons and before selecting your plants you must decide for what purpose you are planting your hedge. This will then dictate what choice of specimens you can plant.

 

  • Boundaries
  • Dividers and Backdrops
  • Flowering
  • Fruiting
  • Leaves and Stems
  • Ornamental
  • Screens
  • Security
  • Shelter

 

For your hedge to be a success you need to prepare your site thoroughly before your specimens arrive.

 

  • Are you going to have a single or double hedge?
  • Would you prefer to use native plants? www.englishplants.co.uk
  • What growing distances do you want?
For all your hedging plant requirements view www.englishplants.co.uk

   

It’s not only the preparation and planting that will determine whether your hedge is a success but also the aftercare with, watering, mulching and pruning/training.

 

Derwen Goppa can offer:-

 

  • Full site preparation
  • Help with choice of plants
  • Supply of plants
  • Care after planting
  • Training new hedges
  • Routine trimming and pruning
  • Renovating old hedges

 

Derwen Goppa has Full Public Liability Insurance.