5 November 2009

Gary Fraser, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

The Northern Ireland Countryside Survey 2000 estimated that there are about 118,000 km of hedgerows in the north. Hedges are an important feature of our landscape.  Well managed hedges provide food and shelter for wildlife and a barrier to livestock. Hedges also help stop the spread of disease and provide shelter for livestock. However, many hedges are in poor condition or may have gaps due to damage or neglect. A positive programme of replanting or interplanting will help restore a hedge and improve its value to wildlife and the landscape.

November to March is the best time to plant and restore field boundary hedgerows on the farm. If planting a new length of hedge this winter, planning ahead will help the hedge plants to establish and grow. Planting should be avoided during periods of frost and snow.

Firstly decide how much hedge planting you wish to do and calculate how many plants you will need.  Agri-environment scheme participants should check their agreement to find out how much planting they should carry out.

The hedge should be composed of 75% hawthorn, the remaining 25% of hedge should be a mix of at least five other native woody species such as hazel, guelder rose, holly, dog rose, or blackthorn randomly planted along the hedge length.  Each metre of newly planted hedge should contain approximately eight plants. Native trees such as rowan, oak or cherry should be planted every 10-15 metres along the hedge.  

Order the plants as soon as possible from your supplier and try to obtain strong, good quality plants.  If quicks need to be stored before planting, place them in moist soil to ensure the roots do not dry out.

Prepare the planting site well. On grassy sites, spray a one metre wide strip with glyphosate about four weeks before planting. Cultivate a trench about 300 mm deep and 600mm wide, adding well rotted manure if you wish.

Hedge quicks should be planted in a double staggered row with 250mm between plants and 300mm between rows. After planting use secateurs to prune hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, guelder rose and dog rose at 10cm to 15cm above ground level.  This allows new growth to develop from the base of the plant.

Placing a black polythene sheet over the planting area will help suppress weeds in the first few years of hedge growth. This should be at least 1 metre wide and can be applied before or after planting.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your new plants establish successfully and grow into a well structured hedge, providing food and shelter for wildlife, shelter for livestock and be an asset on the farm for years to come.

If you need further advice on hedge planting, contact Countryside Management staff at your local DARD office.  

Notes to Editors:

1. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.