Re: Hedgerow restoration techniques

Discussion Forum

Hedgerow restoration techniques

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Hedgerows 26 May 2010, 11:38 AM
I'm involved in setting up a hedgerow restoration field experiment, and would be grateful for some ideas on commonly used techniques.

We're planning to use the following:
1) Traditional hedge-laying (Midlands' style).
2) Conservation hedging - rougher version of laying with no binders and more volume left in hedge.
3) Wildlife hedging - each stem nicked, hedge pushed over with front loader of tractor, resulting in more volume at base of hedge.
4) Traditional coppicing - cut close to the ground.
5) Circular saw - hedge reshaped.

Are there any other widespread, economically viable techniques that we have missed out? Please reply with any suggestions or comments.

Thanks for your help.
All the best,
Jo Staley (NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology)

Re: Hedgerow restoration techniques

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richardwinspear 26 May 2010, 1:12 PM
Hi

Are you also going to have hedges maintained by use of the flail alone, to act as a control management benchmark to compare these more expensive options against?

What will you be measuring to compare the treatments?

Richard

Re: Hedgerow restoration techniques

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Hedgerows 26 May 2010, 1:16 PM
Hi Richard,

Thanks for your response.

For this experiment we'll be comparing a twice in five years cut with a flail against an uncut control after the rejuvenations. We're planning to look at hedge regrowth, structure and berry yield.

Jo

Re: Hedgerow restoration techniques

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JoulesH 27 May 2010, 7:20 PM
Can you do anything on elm sucker management (to ensure survival, without getting dominance by bramble and elder) also what about comparing your twice in 5 year cutting with every two years, in a mixed species hedge, over a long cycle, to see if the longer cutting interval, causing more damage, does lead to long term deterioration.