The image above shows a hedgerow that was originally laid by traditional methods, now unable to support an ecosystem due to annual cutting with tractor-driven equipment. Mature hedgerow like this is being rapidly destroyed all over Britain.
Vast amounts of money go into land management already, but it's not protecting mature hedgerow from savage, repeated cutting. Basic Payment schemes are available to all landowners regardless of what they do to hedge lines;
Countryside Stewardship is intended to increase loyalty to the landscape through best-practice management, but is open to interpretation as to how hedgerows are treated, with options available that complicate governance.
At https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plant-and-manage-hedgerows content has recently changed, making clear what will be paid for each action.
Hedge cutting
You’ll manage most hedges by regular mechanical cutting. You must cut hedges carefully to avoid damage to both young and mature trees.
The way you cut hedges determines how much wildlife and landscape benefit they will have. Hedges that are cut too low will not be used by birds and animals that like to feed or nest further away from the ground.
Most hedgerow shrubs only produce berries on growth that is at least 2 years old. Plants trimmed back to the same point every year do not produce many berries.
Hedgerows cut to the same height each time have poor structure. They provide fewer nesting sites for birds and easier access for their predators. Over time, these hedges form a bottomless ‘mushroom’ shape and slowly die out.
To improve the structure of your hedges and increase the amount of berries available for wildlife:
You’ll manage most hedges by regular mechanical cutting. You must cut hedges carefully to avoid damage to both young and mature trees.
The way you cut hedges determines how much wildlife and landscape benefit they will have. Hedges that are cut too low will not be used by birds and animals that like to feed or nest further away from the ground.
Most hedgerow shrubs only produce berries on growth that is at least 2 years old. Plants trimmed back to the same point every year do not produce many berries.
Hedgerows cut to the same height each time have poor structure. They provide fewer nesting sites for birds and easier access for their predators. Over time, these hedges form a bottomless ‘mushroom’ shape and slowly die out.
To improve the structure of your hedges and increase the amount of berries available for wildlife:
- cut in increments, by increasing the height and width of each cut by at least 10cm
- cut every other year, or better still one year in 3
- leave any hedge trimming until late winter, to allow birds to feed on berries over the winter
- do not cut all your hedgerows in the same year
If you’re completing this action as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, how you do it is up to you.
The advice on this page can help you get better environmental and business benefits, but you do not have to follow it to get paid.
The advice on this page can help you get better environmental and business benefits, but you do not have to follow it to get paid.
You read that right - you do not have to follow these guidelines to get paid...!
Here are some extracts from Government guidelines on hedge cutting practice
in accordance with the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot scheme as originally published in 2021:
From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Rural Payments Agency
Published
7 June 2021
Last updated
8 February 2022 — See all updates
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Rural Payments Agency
Published
7 June 2021
Last updated
8 February 2022 — See all updates
Leave at least 50% of the hedgerow uncut.
Every year on rotation leave at least half of the total hedgerow length uncut to increase the amount of pollen, nectar and berries for birds and insects.
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to plant and manage hedgerows.
Every year on rotation leave at least half of the total hedgerow length uncut to increase the amount of pollen, nectar and berries for birds and insects.
How you complete this action is up to you, but you can read information on how to plant and manage hedgerows.
Leave more hedgerows uncut or raise the cutting height
This action will increase the amount of pollen, nectar and berries in your hedges.
For this action you can choose either one of the following:
This action will increase the amount of pollen, nectar and berries in your hedges.
For this action you can choose either one of the following:
- leave at least two thirds of the total hedgerow length uncut every year, cutting a maximum of one third each year in rotation
- leave at least half the total hedgerow uncut each year, but raise the cutting height by 10cm or more every time you cut leaving some wood for flowers and fruit to form
Leave the tops to grow uncut on short hedgerows
Leave the tops uncut on hedgerows less than 2 metres high.
Maintain more hedgerow trees, or plant or tag new ones
This action will provide habitat for wildlife.
(Intermediate level only)There must be an average of one hedgerow tree every 200 metres across all the hedgerows.
(Advanced level only) There must be an average of one hedgerow tree every 100 metres across all the hedgerows.
(Both levels) Maintain existing trees and if necessary plant new ones to achieve the number needed for your level.
Trees do not have to be evenly distributed across the hedgerows. Include dead and dying trees in your tree count.
Leave the tops uncut on hedgerows less than 2 metres high.
Maintain more hedgerow trees, or plant or tag new ones
This action will provide habitat for wildlife.
(Intermediate level only)There must be an average of one hedgerow tree every 200 metres across all the hedgerows.
(Advanced level only) There must be an average of one hedgerow tree every 100 metres across all the hedgerows.
(Both levels) Maintain existing trees and if necessary plant new ones to achieve the number needed for your level.
Trees do not have to be evenly distributed across the hedgerows. Include dead and dying trees in your tree count.
Are you a responsible landowner who cares for hedgerows and ensures their sustainable contribution to the environment? Have you abandoned annual to-the-knuckle cutting in favour of better practices? Please join organisations who promote good management so we can move towards regenerating rural health in the UK.
WE NEED TO PROTECT HEDGEROWS NOW!
