Landscaping 101: Traditional Hedge Laying Explained

What Is Hedge Laying?

Hedge laying is a traditional horticultural technique designed to rejuvenate and strengthen hedges by partially cutting through the main stems and weaving them horizontally. This skilled method transforms overgrown hedgerows into dense, living fences that provide structure, wildlife habitat, and lasting beauty in the landscape. Practiced for centuries in the United Kingdom and beyond, hedge laying maintains rural boundaries and supports rich biodiversity, blending craft with practical land management.

Why Lay a Hedge?

• Restoration and Rejuvenation: Laying provides a new lease on life for overgrown or gappy hedges, encouraging them to regrow from the base and become thick and stock-proof.
• Wildlife Habitat: Laid hedges offer nesting grounds, shelter, and food sources for many birds, mammals, and insects, making them essential components of healthy ecosystems.
• Field Boundaries: Historically, hedge laying established strong, living fences that contained livestock and marked property lines across farms and countryside estates.
• Aesthetics and Privacy: A well-managed, neatly laid hedge brings beauty, structure, and privacy to both rural and suburban gardens.

The History and Value of Hedge Laying

The craft of hedge laying traces back centuries in the British Isles, where it became integral to farming practice and rural landscape design. Once a necessity for keeping livestock secure and defining land parcels, hedge laying’s functional legacy now joins aesthetic value and conservation benefits. Laid hedges support regional wildlife, embody traditional countryside character, and endure as living testaments to human skill.

Regional Styles of Hedge Laying

Across the UK, distinctive hedge laying styles reflect local needs, plant species, and cultural history. Key regional types include:

• Midland (or Bullock) Style:
  • Characterized by pleachers laid at a shallow angle and secured between stout, upright stakes.
  • Bound with hazel rods woven along the top for added strength–especially effective against heavy livestock like cattle.
• Somerset Style:
  • Uses stakes driven alternately on both sides of the hedge.
  • Pleachers are woven behind the stakes, while leftover side branches (brash) are interwoven for density and shelter.
• Welsh Border Style:
  • Utilizes hazel stakes often slanted at a 35° angle, with pleachers and dead wood woven for protection against animals.
  • Regular trimming maintains a crisp finish; any gaps are filled with new whips (young shoots).
• Other Local Styles: Each region may adapt techniques based on prevailing weather, topography, and available wood species, yielding a fascinating diversity of forms.

The Hedge Laying Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Every hedge laying project follows a sequence of key stages, with variations to suit context and style. Here’s a comprehensive overview:

1. Assessment and Planning

• Inspect the hedge for condition, species makeup, and age.
• Decide on a suitable laying style (Midland, Somerset, Welsh, etc.).
• Check for legal or wildlife protection requirements; avoid disturbing nesting birds or protected habitats.

2. Preparation and Thinning

• Remove unwanted species, invasive weeds, and weak or unhealthy stems.
• Prune side shoots (brash) to provide access and maximize light to the lower hedge.
• Clear ground at the base to facilitate working and regeneration.

3. Cutting the Pleachers

• Use a sharp billhook or saw to make an angled cut near the stem’s base, leaving some bark and sapwood attached.
• This partly-severed stem, called a pleacher, can then be bent over without detaching it fully, maintaining sap flow and enabling regrowth.

4. Laying and Weaving

• Bend pleachers at a gentle angle (usually 35-45°) and lay them parallel to the hedge line, overlapping for density and structure.
• Weave thinner side shoots and trimmed brash among pleachers to increase thickness and stability.

5. Inserting Stakes and Binders

• Drive strong wooden stakes (usually hazel, ash, or chestnut) upright along the hedge at regular intervals.
• Bind the top of the laid pleachers using flexible rods (hazel or willow), weaving them between or behind stakes to secure the entire structure.
• This not only adds mechanical strength but also creates a tidy finish unique to each regional style.

6. Finishing Touches

• Trim the top and sides of the hedge to a uniform height.
• Clear away any debris, ensuring sunlight can reach the newly exposed base to stimulate vigorous regrowth.
• Replace gaps by planting whips (young seedlings) of native shrubs if needed.

Tools and Materials Required

• Billhook or Ax: For making precise angled cuts at the base of main stems.
• Pruning Saw: To tackle thicker or older stems that cannot be cut with a billhook.
• Loppers: For removing brash and side shoots efficiently.
• Wooden Stakes: Traditional choices include hazel or ash, chosen for strength and flexibility.
• Binders: Long, thin rods (hazel or willow) for weaving along the top of the hedge.
• Protective Gear: Gloves, sturdy boots, and eye protection for safe working.

Choosing and Planting Hedges for Laying

For the best results, lay hedges made up of traditional, native species suited to your region and local wildlife. Commonly used plants include:

• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
• Hazel (Corylus avellana)
• Field Maple (Acer campestre)
• Dog Rose (Rosa canina)

Planting density is crucial. For general boundary hedges, plant:

• Single rows: Four plants per meter, with 25cm between plants.
• Double rows: Five plants per meter, arranged in a zigzag and spaced 40-50cm apart between rows.

Soil should be well-prepared and fertilized as needed. Aftercare for at least the first two years involves regular watering, mulching, and protection from grazing animals.

Maintaining Laid Hedges

After laying, proper management ensures the hedge develops into a robust, wildlife-friendly feature:

• Regularly trim the new growth to encourage bushiness and prevent straggling or gaps.
• Monitor for pests and diseases, treating as needed with organic or chemical controls.
• Protect from browsing by livestock or wildlife with temporary fences if required.
• Fill any developing gaps with additional planting to sustain a continuous barrier.

Restoring Neglected Hedges

Over time, some hedges become gappy, sparse, or overtaken by trees. Restoration efforts may include:

• Re-laying: Applying the traditional laying technique to encourage regrowth from the base.
• Coppicing: Cutting overgrown sections to ground level, stimulating multiple new shoots.
• Supplemental Planting: Introducing new whips to fill persistent gaps and reestablish a dense line.

Benefits of Hedge Laying for Wildlife

• Laid hedges provide vital corridors for mammals, birds, and insects to move through the landscape safely.
• The mixture of branches, brash, and new shoots supports nesting and feeding for birds such as wrens, blackbirds, and finches.
• Dense, impenetrable structure deters predators, offering a safe haven for small creatures.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Cutting Pleachers Too Deep: Avoid severing too much bark or sapwood, or sap flow will stop and the stem won’t regenerate.
• Laying at the Wrong Time: The best time is late autumn to early spring when the hedge is dormant.
• Using Unsuitable Species: Always select native, multi-stemmed shrubs that naturally respond well to cutting and laying.
• Neglecting Aftercare: Consistent trimming and gapping-up are essential for achieving a long-lasting, attractive hedge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When is the best time to lay a hedge?

A: Lay hedges during dormancy—typically from late autumn through early spring—avoiding nesting bird season to protect wildlife.

Q: How often should a hedge be laid?

A: Hedges are generally laid every 10 to 20 years, depending on growth rate, species, and boundary requirements.

Q: Can any hedge be laid, or are some plants unsuitable?

A: Not all hedges are suitable. The best choices are multi-stemmed, native species like hawthorn or blackthorn; mature tree lines and single-stem trees do not respond well to laying.

Q: What is the difference between hedge trimming and hedge laying?

A: Hedge trimming simply shapes the hedge, usually by cutting vertically and horizontally. Hedge laying involves cutting and partially severing stems before weaving them horizontally to restore density and vigor.

Q: Is hedge laying difficult for beginners?

A: While basic laying can be learned, mastering the skill and achieving beautiful, resilient results takes experience and practice. Begin with small sections, follow guides, and consider professional help for the best outcome.

Quick Comparison: Major UK Hedge Laying Styles

Conclusion: The Living Art of Hedge Laying

Hedge laying remains a living tradition, blending ecological benefits with artistry and rural heritage. Whether you aim to restore a weathered country boundary, enhance wildlife corridors, or create natural privacy screens in your garden, learning the skill of hedge laying offers a rewarding, practical, and beautiful contribution to the landscape. With careful planning, the right tools, and dedication to aftercare, any gardener can help sustain this vital countryside craft for generations to come.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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