LSSSC Hedgelaying - February 2006
Hedgelaying is a traditional way of managing hedges throughout large parts of England and
Wales. It creates a thick barrier from untidy, gappy and straggling hedges, and has great
conservation and wildlife value. In February, Matthew Davey, Lincolnshire County Council's
Environmental and Community Projects Officer, ran a hedgelaying course for 10 members of
LSSSC. The course took place at Mareham
Pastures Local Nature Reserve, Sleaford.
 |
 |
| Hedgelaying involves cutting nearly all the way through the base of the stems and laying them over at an angle of about 35 degrees | |
 Our tutor, Matthew Davey |
 Enjoying a break for lunch |
 |
 |
| The cut stems, called pleachers, are tucked tightly together
|
|
 |
 |
| The pleachers are staked vertically and bound horizontally for
strength to produce a strong hedge. Stakes and binds are normally hazel. |
|
 |
 |
| Stumps
are left as clean and tidy as possible since this is where regrowth is most desired. Eventually a new hedge will grow from the established root system |
Our thanks go to Lincolnshire County Council for providing the hedgelaying course for our
members, and in particular to Matthew Davey for his excellent tuition. Everyone who
attended thoroughly enjoyed the day.