Well done for finding no.1 on the Hill End habitats trail!
The hedges at Hill End are managed by occasional cutting and laying, then trimming on a rotation to allow the majority to flower and produce berries for the birds. This increases their density and value as a rich wildlife habitat.
Many of the site’s hedges are remnants from when it was farmland, whilst others were planted in the 1970s to act as ‘wildlife corridors’ across the site. The most recent hedges have been planted down the drive to improve security.
You now know more about how we manage hedgerow on our site. If you want to find out even more, try these websites and links:
- Hedgelaying history: https://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/
- The importance of hedgerows: http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/index.php?page=16
- How to lay a hedge and hedge laying styles: https://www.gardensillustrated.com/garden-design/how-to-lay-a-hedge/
- National trust hedge laying: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buttermere-valley/features/all-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-hedge-laying
- Hedging (1942) – a BFI video: https://youtu.be/WoprVhpOKIk
- Hedges and habitats: https://www.habitataid.co.uk/blog/2018/11/04/why-hedgelaying-makes-a-better-hedge/
