Learn more about hedges
Hedge laying is an important craft for a whole host of reasons. To the
farmer it is a means by which older straggly hedges can be turned once again
into an impenetrable ‘stockproof’ barrier that will prevent
their animals escaping. Laying the hedgerow shrubs over, eliminates gaps
in the boundary and encourages vigorous growth in subsequent years. This
has the added benefit of making it a more effective shelter to livestock.
Thick hedges are excellent wildlife habitats for our native wildlife and
are strong visual features in the landscape.
They mark boundary lines that can be 100s even l000s of years old!
Laying the hedge helps to re-define the original ‘line’ of the hedge as in some cases it has spread into the field. At the same time, any banking maintenance can be carried out. In fact the bank is a very important part of the boundary and is quite unique to this part of England. Particularly wide banks are known as ‘double banks’ and the Devon/Somerset style of hedging has evolved to complement them.
The stems or (pleachers) can be laid flat to the bank because the earth
bank always ensures that a reasonable boundary height is maintained.
Pleachers are laid uphill so that their sap can drain back to the roots during the dormant season