Hedgerow info for Cannon Hill

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The Hedgelayer or Hedge Plasher
Hedgelaying is a grand old autumn/winter practice for managing a hedge and is applicable for most broadleaf hedge types.

 The stem of each tree/shrub is partially cut, or 'pleached' near the base, this allows it to remain attached to the root  and laid to one side, prevented from grounding by the previous stem or a stake. The pleacher remains alive and new growth begins from the base the following spring
Hedge laying demonstration at Cannon Hill in 2010
The hedge today is broad, dense and tall, supporting and harbouring many animals and plants. 

Up to 2010 the hedge had been routinely shorn each year forming a gappy condition at the base of the stems with a layer of entangled growth at 3 feet. Fair to say not great, if not useless, as a habitat.

6 years of growth and it has developed into a decent hedgerow with around 40 species of plant  recorded in this time, many herbaceous plants have been found at the base as a result of reduced grass mowing.


The hedge peasant





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