Defending the sustainability and function
of British hedgerows
Every autumn, trillions of tonnes of foodstuff and acres of shelter are lost to tractor-driven blades,
stripping out forage and foliage that would otherwise support wild creatures.
Cutting 'to the knuckle' every year destroys fruit-bearing growth, shelter, hibernation sites and breeding grounds.
The blanket of weeds at the base of the hedgerow is removed and nooks that would have been warm, safe hiding places are laid bare. Exposed to the elements, unable to provide food or to rejuvenate leafy growth in time to provide secure nest sites in spring, most hedge lines (spanning 390,000km in the UK) are now barren and silent.
The structure of a hedge and the value of its components can be found here.
Landowners and contractors can do so much to stop this devastation -
The UK right now is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
stripping out forage and foliage that would otherwise support wild creatures.
Cutting 'to the knuckle' every year destroys fruit-bearing growth, shelter, hibernation sites and breeding grounds.
The blanket of weeds at the base of the hedgerow is removed and nooks that would have been warm, safe hiding places are laid bare. Exposed to the elements, unable to provide food or to rejuvenate leafy growth in time to provide secure nest sites in spring, most hedge lines (spanning 390,000km in the UK) are now barren and silent.
The structure of a hedge and the value of its components can be found here.
Landowners and contractors can do so much to stop this devastation -
The UK right now is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.
Behind the picture above, see what the Nature Friendly Farming Network has to say on hedgerow management.
British Trust for Ornithology - Hedgerow Nesting Bird Report - March 2024 www.bto.org/our-science/publications/research-reports/breeding-periods-hedgerow-nesting-birds-england?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0
Scroll Down for More Facts and Contacts!
Statement by Joanna Lumley DBE, February 2023 on the government policy of the time:
"Hedgerows are the life-line for so many of our small wild animals and birds - they stabilise the land and capture carbon; I urge them to put nature first on their agenda. They must act immediately: they may not be forgiven if they do not.”
Image credit Gemma Levine
Since Joanna made this comment, hedgerow guidelines have been published.
But guidelines are not enough.
Parliament debated the Hedgerow Act in the wake of DEFRA's consultation last year on 24th January 2024 - read the brief here
The Climate and Nature Bill is due to be read on January 21st, 2025...
Please Act Now to ensure hedgerow health is a priority next year!
THE FACTS
Cutting hedgerow back to bare wood every year prevents it from fruiting and flowering,
Insects, birds and small mammals starve without these food reserves.
Sustainability of the UK's ecosystem is being reduced year on year.
The practice strips out winter shelter and spring nesting sites.
Fruit only forms on second-year growth.
Bare sticks offer no protection from harsh weather,
and cannot regenerate in time for breeding pairs to establish in spring.
Over-cutting compromises the root system and reduces capacity for carbon absorption -
leaving little or no foliage left to capture carbon and utilise the water table.
Biodiversity, water retention and air quality are directly affected by hedgerow viability.
In 20 years, the popularity of over-cutting has led to losses on an unprecedented scale.
Species once familiar and abundant are now absent from our landscape as a result.
This is a (sample) list of those we have lost
We urgently need this habitat to be restored in our countryside!
Hedgerows like this offer no protection to wildlife or livestock.
Which species
are most at risk? |
Behind every picture there's a story.
|
Nothing can survive without food and shelter, left open to the elements.
What about
carbon footprint? |
Write to DEFRA - guidelines for letters and DEFRA's address are linked to the picture above.
Write to your MP. Scroll down for the address link.
Wherever the potential exists to change the trend in hedgerow management,
we have to take that opportunity before cascade failure sets in.
Hedgerow is unique to the British landscape; the ecosystem it supports is irreplaceable.
While hedgerows require management to keep them viable and prevent them from becoming tree lines,
sensitive techniques need to be adopted and supported by Government and landowners alike.
Write to your MP. Scroll down for the address link.
Wherever the potential exists to change the trend in hedgerow management,
we have to take that opportunity before cascade failure sets in.
Hedgerow is unique to the British landscape; the ecosystem it supports is irreplaceable.
While hedgerows require management to keep them viable and prevent them from becoming tree lines,
sensitive techniques need to be adopted and supported by Government and landowners alike.
"Hedges help to stop flooding, sustain flora and fauna, provide interest to all. They protect land and provide shelter for animals. There are so many benefits; we have to stop all this destruction. Furthermore, 'hedges are brilliant at capturing carbon. A new hedgerow can absorb the carbon produced by a car travelling over 600 miles'. Evidence suggests they are natural barriers to harmful air pollution in our streets if they are at the level of pedestrians. What is there not to like about this?"
Diana W
See many more statements from concerned people on the Comments page
Diana W
See many more statements from concerned people on the Comments page
A healthy hedge line... presently a rare sight!
No attempt at topiary, full cover at the base and rugged canopy lines.
Where you see blossom, there will be fruit in the autumn.
Safe cover for nesting wildlife will be ready in spring.
Photo courtesy : © Chris Gomersall/2020 Vision
Suffolk Wildlife Trust - the Wildlife Trusts Library
On most of the hedgerows we see now, there is no blossom.
The hedges pictured below cannot develop greenery and cover by early spring.
No fruit, no shelter, no nest sites, no sustainable growth.
No attempt at topiary, full cover at the base and rugged canopy lines.
Where you see blossom, there will be fruit in the autumn.
Safe cover for nesting wildlife will be ready in spring.
Photo courtesy : © Chris Gomersall/2020 Vision
Suffolk Wildlife Trust - the Wildlife Trusts Library
On most of the hedgerows we see now, there is no blossom.
The hedges pictured below cannot develop greenery and cover by early spring.
No fruit, no shelter, no nest sites, no sustainable growth.
Click on the links below for further experiential evidence of what best-practice can do:
https://www.nffn.org.uk/farmer-stories/patrick-barker-reversing-nature-loss
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320715001068?via%3Dihub
https://www.nffn.org.uk/farmer-stories/patrick-barker-reversing-nature-loss
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320715001068?via%3Dihub
Concerned?
Want to add your voice?
Write to your MP!
Talk about hedgerow welfare - it really matters!
Farmers, we need you - we all need good relations in our communities. We want to support your appeals for fair deals and back your efforts to prioritise farming initiatives. We also need you to manage the hedgerows on your land sustainably, so that everyone can access a healthy, vibrant countryside in support of our physical and mental health.
Please - advisories can be found here and throughout this site!
Help positive changes in practice to gain ground before cascade failure
irreversibly destroys wild populations and ultimately threatens our own survival.
CONTACT US: [email protected]
