Page 57 - br-aug-2020

August 2020 August 2020

tree-management/tree-preservation-orders/tree-preservation-orders.aspx).
1. Mature hedgerow trees
Benefit - Bird & bat roosting sites; insect habitats;
fungi & lichen. 60% of species in a hedgerow will
utilise the tree. A range of tree ages and species
is even better.

Management - Plant trees into hedge gaps or
allow shrubs to grow into trees; deadwood
should be retained if possible; consider
replacing trees lost in storms. Considerate
pollarding of older trees can extend the tree’s
life and create wildlife friendly features – seek
expert guidance.
2. Dense shrub layer with plenty of fruit and
flowers

Benefit - Early flowering
shrubs (e.g. blackthorn)
provide a great early nectar
source for bees, butterflies
and other insects; hedges
with shrubs flowering at
different times of the year
maximise benefits; many
animals shelter and breed in
hedges
Management - Ideally, cut
hedges in winter on a 3 year
rotation with each cut being
10cm higher than the
previous cut to allow
incremental growth (cutting
every 3 years produces 2.5
times more hawthorn and
blackthorn flowers than annual cutting); rejuvenate gappy, over-trimmed, or
overly-mature hedges by coppicing, laying, and gapping up

3. Tussocky bases and herb-rich margins
Benefit - Breeding and nesting sites for many animals (bees, grass snakes,
hedgehogs, etc); foraging ground for species sheltering in the hedge
Management - Create a range of habitats including messy tall grass and detritus,

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