A place to learn, share and inspire others to create a haven for you and for wildlife.
Sign In or Register to join the conversation
The leylandii at the bottom of the garden have GONE. Well actually they haven't, they are all chopped up on the lawn but they have now been chopped down. It's amazing how much space is there! The "gardener" (i.e. the guy next doors son) came round yesterday because he had a week without work and knew we needed something done in the garden and so today he got to work! So, the leylandii hedge (looking at the stumps, I think trees would be a far more accurate description!) has now gone, the shed will also soon be gone because it is literally falling down and we'll have a nice fence up soon! And a new, smaller outdoor storage thing.
Not sure what we're doing with the bottom of the garden just yet because there are serveral options, as we're planning on getting another dog after Tai it may become an outdoor run with kennel for the new dog if new dog likes being outside on his/her own, if not it might get planted up. Plenty of potential options. We're planning on planting our rowan and whitebeam down there regardless, or maybe get them HUGE pots to go into down there. We'll see.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Now the Leylandii hedge has gone where are the sparrows and other small birds going to find shelter
Susan, I wouldnt worry too much. The little birds that may have overnighted will easily find an alternative roost. Best time to take the hedge out in November, no fear of disturbing nesting birds that way.
Susan
1. The leylendii didn't provide shelter in the first place, it was very open inside because the greenery was only on the outside and internally it was just large, open branches, the sparrows use whatever the hedge in a neighbours garden is. Far better than leylandii.
2. There is another hedge in the garden as well as much larger trees and shrubs nearby, the other hedge provides FAR better shelter and protention than leylendii ever would.
3. The garden is better off without it as they block light preventing other more wildlife-friendly plants from growing and doesn't drain so much water and nutrients from the garden.
4. The leylandii has been replace by three native trees that are less damaging and more beneficial to wildlife (Rowan, Whitebeam and Silver Birch) yet not as obtrusive or resource-grabbing
5. The hedge was removed in October, plenty of time for the birds to find alternative shelter.
6. The birds are still here so it hasn't bothered them that much! In fact we've had goldcrests visiting the last couple of weeks!
We stripped out an old leylandii hedge a couple of years ago - in the 60ft length there was only 1 old blackbird nest that I know had been raided in the summer. None of the birds ever roosted in it - they much prefer the beach hedge at all times of the year - the leylandii has been replaced by young beech whips to join the existing green and copper beach and the blackbirds, thrush, fieldfare and redwings have great success hunting in the leaf litter. The area that the leylandii had overshadowed has benefited greatly from the removal.
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
There has never been a single nest in the leylandii hedge we had since I've lived here - even the nestboxes in there were left unoccupied!
Oh Kat sounds like exciting times in the garden for you + the wild life. I'm really lucky as we have a new house built in the bottom section of a well established garden so masses of native hedging that I've added too + after a few years is really getting established!! I have masses roosting in there + lots nesting in the spring.
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks' John Muir.
Excuse wobbily dyslexic spelling!
Will be getting some climbers to go up the fence in the spring and some foxgloves - I really want foxgloves in the garden lol. not sure what climbers we're getting yet though, will probably wait and see what is available at the time. Maybe get winter jasmine as it is shady there. Already have honeysuckle on the other fence.
I butchered (probably a good description) 36 Conifers (each was about 15' high) about 6 years ago from in front of my house, its amazing how much lighter my kitchen and lounge looked when i felled them. In all there were only 2 old nests in them and they looked like they had not been used for years.
Regards Colin
See my photos HERE
See my videos HERE