Restoring the Hedge, Restoring the Meadow
Nick Hindley writes and illustrates:
Nature Recovery Network and the Long Mead Foundation has recently been granted stewardship of further meadows near Swinford Bridge by the landowners, The Oxford Preservation Trust.
Swinford Meadows, which runs along the river, is an ancient floodplain meadow. Behind it, running along the road between Swinford and Farmoor lie Swinford pastures.
With some species-richness but lots of scope for restoration, they are well-suited for the kind of nature recovery work undertaken by NRN elsewhere.
NRNers have recently planted two new mixed hedges along field boundaries leading to the river. The meadows have an existing hedge that was planted about 25 years ago which has become overgrown, and which lacks the density and vigorous growth, acknowledged to provide havens for bird, insect and animal life as well as meaningful natural barriers for grazing livestock.
The aims of the hedge-laying weekend were:
- to begin the process of hedge restoration using long-standing traditional hedge-laying techniques
- to provide experience of hedge-laying local people and interested parties
- to foster and develop individuals' sense of contributing meaningfully to nature restoration
The weekend was led by Oxford Conservation Volunteers (OCV) who have considerable experience of hedge-laying and were able to convene 15 willing volunteers as well as providing the necessary tools: bill-hooks (single and double-handed), loppers, bow and pruning saws. In addition, 10 places were advertised by NRN and taken up by individuals wishing to gain experience of hedge-laying from the wider Thames Valley area and beyond.
The main activities involved in the hedge-laying process involve:
- cutting back and clearing unwanted brush from the lower margins of the existing hedge
- ascertaining which of the main hedge stems could be trimmed to allow them to create a dense barrier when laid; deciding to leave some as future trees within the hedge at regular intervals
- laying the main hedge stems: this involves making low longitudinal cuts with bill-hooks through at least half of the stem thickness such that the stem can be bent down (without breaking) to occupy a slightly upward angle above the ground; the 'heel' that is left opposite the bent stem is then sawn though and discarded; the bent stems are then compressed and remaining branches are interlocked to create a dense structure
- insertion of hazel stakes at regular intervals along the middle of the new hedge line
- interweaving of willow wands between the hazel stakes to top off the new hedge structure
The hedges in these meadows were particularly overgrown and had not been maintained since planting. This meant that the work was particularly arduous. Huge amounts of brush were initially extracted.
In addition when it came to laying, the main stems of the existing hedge were thick and required considerable effort at the bill-hook stage. Overall, about 70 metres of the original hedge was laid by the end of the weekend.
All participants had been able to experience at first hand the various components of the hedge-laying process. The outside observer would have noted the high levels of activity and enjoyment experienced by participants and individual feedback supported this observation.
NRNers plan to continue the work on these hedges and fields as part of our efforts to restore land around where we all live. With particular reference to the hedges we will follow the 'Top ten tips for a healthy hedge' outlined by 'hedgelink' (hedgelink.org.uk).
‘Hedgelink' also provide detailed information and scientific reports about hedge management and benefits of healthy hedges for wildlife of all types. Readers may also be interested in a public information film from 1945 highlighting the work of a traditional Midlands' hedgelayer (https://youtu.be/WoprVhpOKIk?si=59VtSlABtyMbcXeg).
