Hedgerow Restoration: Britain's Living Field Boundaries

Hedgerows are the veins and arteries of the British countryside. These living field boundaries have shaped our landscape for over a thousand years, providing vital corridors for wildlife, storing carbon, preventing floods, and sheltering livestock. Yet we've lost over half of our hedgerows since 1945.

The good news? Hedgerows are one of the easiest habitats to restore. With generous government grants now available, there has never been a better time for farmers and landowners to plant new hedges and rejuvenate old ones.

Britain's Living Landscape Lines

Britain has approximately 700,000 kilometres of hedgerows, enough to stretch around the Earth 17 times. These living boundaries are overwhelmingly a human creation, planted to mark field boundaries, contain livestock, and provide wood and food. Some hedgerows date back to Anglo-Saxon times, with ancient species-rich hedges containing 7 or more woody species per 30 metres.

After World War II, government policy encouraged farmers to remove hedgerows to create larger fields for mechanised farming. Between 1945 and 1990, we lost an estimated 50% of hedgerows, amounting to roughly 190,000 km. Many remaining hedges were cut too hard, too often, or allowed to become gappy and outgrown.

The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 now protect important hedgerows from removal, and agri-environment schemes increasingly reward farmers for good hedgerow management. The tide is turning.

Why Hedgerows Matter

Hedgerows punch far above their weight in terms of ecosystem services. They may occupy only a fraction of farmland, but they deliver benefits far beyond their footprint:

Hedgerow Wildlife

A well-managed hedgerow is one of Britain's richest wildlife habitats. From nesting birds to hibernating mammals, hedgerows support over 2,000 species:

Birds

• Yellowhammer - Red-listed farmland bird that depends on thick hedges
• Linnet - Another declining species that nests in dense thorny hedges
• Dunnock - Common hedgerow nester, often overlooked
• Bullfinch - Feeds on hedgerow berries and buds
• Song thrush - Uses hedges for nesting and shelter
• Whitethroat - Summer migrant that nests in bramble-rich hedges

Mammals

• Hedgehog - Uses hedgerows for foraging, shelter, and movement
• Dormouse - Rare species entirely dependent on connected hedgerow networks
• Harvest mouse - Builds nests in tall hedgerow vegetation
• Brown hare - Shelters in hedge bases during the day
• Bats - Many species follow hedgerow lines when commuting and hunting

Invertebrates

• Over 1,500 species of invertebrate depend on hedgerow habitats
• Bees and butterflies rely on hedgerow flowers for nectar
• Beetles and hoverflies use leaf litter at hedge bases
• Spiders build webs between branches catching flying insects
• Predatory insects provide natural pest control in adjacent crops

Planting a Hedgerow

Whether you're gapping up an old hedge or creating a brand new one, the principles are similar. Here's how to establish a thriving native hedgerow:

Step 1: Site Preparation

Clear a strip at least 1 metre wide, ideally 2 metres. Remove perennial weeds like docks, nettles, and couch grass, as these compete aggressively with establishing hedgerow plants and can smother young whips before they become established. Cultivate or clear a strip in the summer before planting. Consider your soil type and choose appropriate species.

Step 2: Species Selection

A traditional mixed hedge might contain 60-70% hawthorn for stock-proofing, with blackthorn, hazel, field maple, dog rose, elder, guelder rose, and spindle for diversity. Include holly and beech for evergreen interest. Check your local National Character Area for regionally appropriate species.

Step 3: Planting

Plant bare-root whips (60-90cm tall) in a double staggered row, 6 plants per metre. Space rows 40-50cm apart, with plants 33cm apart in each row. Plant between November and March when dormant. Don't plant too deep: keep the soil mark on the stem at soil level.

Step 4: Protection

Protect against rabbits with spiral guards or tubes. In areas with deer, use taller tubes (1.2m+). Mulch around plants with woodchip or cardboard to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Some schemes require fencing to keep livestock away during establishment.

Hedgerow Management

How you manage a hedgerow makes the difference between a wildlife haven and a brown skeleton. Good management encourages flowering, fruiting, and dense growth:

Grants & Funding

Several government and charity schemes now provide funding for hedgerow restoration. The following options are available in England, with similar schemes in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland: