Winter is always a busy time at Beckingham, especially for our annual programme of hedge work. Hedgerow management is an important part of our work at Beckingham Marshes - not only does it help to encourage breeding waders, particularly lapwing (they don't like tall vegetation in the vicinity of their nests, tall trees and shrubs provide predator perches), it also helps to rejuvenate old under managed hedgerows, improving them for the wildlife that calls them it's home. It is also great to help keep the old countryside craft alive.
This winter, our efforts are being turned to one of the shorter hedges on the northern boundary of the site, running alongside Old Trent Road. This hedge is just right for laying - an old traditional way of rejuvenating a hedge and of providing a livestock proof barrier in place of a fence.
Hedge laying involves partially cutting the stems and bending them over to a horizontal (or near horizontal). The stems are then woven around vertical stakes. This encourages new growth from the base of the stems and produces a thick, impenetrable barrier to keep the cattle in, whilst providing excellent breeding and feeding areas for invertebrates, mammals, birds and a variety of flora and fungi.
Exactly how a hedge is laid depends on the regional style used, of which there are several. Here at Beckingham we are going for Derbyshire style - one of our most local styles. Stakes are hammered into the ground behind the line of stems at 2-2.5' intervals. The stems are then tightly woven around the stakes and no bindings are used.
Once our hedge is laid, with proper management, it should be good for another 10+ years!
Our hedge ready for laying in the New Year.