As part of our commitment to biodiversity, we will soon begin work to restore the existing bushes and trees along the footpath from Maidenhead Road leading to the upper field, into a hedge using a local contractor. Hedges are crucial in supporting a wide diversity of animal species through the provision of shelter, nest sites, food resources and corridors for movement. It will also ensure neighbouring properties aren't overshadowed.
The hedge will be laid Midlands style. The trunks of the trees and bushes will be cut ¾ the way through and diagonally down to the cut forming ‘pleachers’ which will be ‘laid’ at an angle to form the new hedge. The cuts leave sufficient bark and sapwood to keep the pleachers growing. Younger growth where possible is preferentially selected and older growth may be cut to just above ground level to encourage growth of new limbs. The hedge is supported by wooden staves 3 to 4 feet apart and the top finished with woven hazel or ash to support the staves.
The advantage of coppicing and hedge-laying is that it will rejuvenate the hedge by encouraging new vigorous growth. This coupled with trimming not more than every three years and then only in January/February will enable good berry production from the likes of hawthorn, elder and blackthorn which will be available to birds and other wildlife during winter.
The local contractor we are using is an experienced tree surgeon and hedgelayer who will in the longer term help us manage the hedge. The hedge will be a biodiverse mix of all the species of tree and bush currently present. We also have the ability to infill any gaps or weaker parts of the hedge with saplings
Work will begin on Monday 6th February and is expected to take 3 - 4 days.