3 minute read
Best Practice Hedgerow Management
By Rowan Lanning, Ecology Intern, IRD Duhallow
Hedgerows are one of our most abundant and important ecological resources, but many of the most critical benefits provided by hedgerows are only possible when the hedge has been appropriately managed. This means following best practice hedgecutting, knowing the two different types of hedges, and using the correct hedgecutting practices for the correct type of hedge. There are two main types of hedges: escaped (treeline) hedges and topped hedges. Both are important but each requires a different approach to management.
Escaped hedges look like a linear woodland. Although they come in different shapes and sizes, what they all have in common is that they’ve never been topped. Their biodiversity value lies mostly in their tall canopies that are free to flower and fruit, providing food and shelter for pollinators and birds. Best practice for managing treeline hedges is to side trim only (if necessary), making sure to never top the hedge and avoid coppicing.
Topped hedges are appropriately named because they are topped, have a dense base, and aren’t allowed to create a full treeline canopy. Their biodiversity value lies mostly in their dense base which provides shelter for small animals. Best practice for managing topped hedges is to side trim from a wide base into a triangular profile (A-shape). This allows the light to reach the base instead of being overshadowed by a canopy. Try to leave the peak as high as possible - at least six foot above the ground level including any banks - your height should be limited only as high as the hedgecutter can possibly trim!
An important rule of thumb is ‘don’t let a topped hedge escape, don’t top an escaped hedge!’
When escaped hedges are topped (whether in the past or present) they become what are called “upside down toilet brush” hedges. These have low value for both carbon and biodiversity and are impossible to trim into a rectangular profile. These hedges are named for the way they look, with a fringe of new growth above stumps.
Upside down toilet brush hedges are ideal for coppicing in order to renew the base and rejuvenate the hedgerow.
Hedgecutting is prohibited from the 1st of March to the 31st of August. Even though September 1st is the earliest that hedges can be legally cut, it’s best to wait as long as possible into the winter before cutting. This gives birds and other animals a change to eat any fruit still left on the trees. Have a conversation with your contractor about best practices for hedgerow management before cutting hedges. Allow for sympathetic cutting, this means not cutting every hedge every year. Cutting hedges every three years will benefit biodiversity tremendously. If topping, consider cutting some this year and leaving others alone until next year or the year after.
