{"id":611966681414,"date":"2025-10-16T16:35:45","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T16:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/uncategorized\/getting-a-word-in-hedgewise\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T08:41:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T08:41:57","slug":"getting-a-word-in-hedgewise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ashridgetrees.co.uk\/blogs\/hedging\/getting-a-word-in-hedgewise\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting a Word in Hedgewise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at Ashridge the \u2018dormant season\u2019 is anything but \u2013 in fact it\u2019s our busiest time of the year.<\/h2> But we\u2019re not the only ones kept busy in winter. While we\u2019re despatching bareroot trees<\/a> and hedging<\/a> plants from the nursery, out in the fields hedge layers are hard at work. Hedge laying has been practised for hundreds of years, but it\u2019s a skill that nearly died out in the last century when hedgerows were grubbed up as agriculture became more mechanised. Luckily hedge laying has experienced a revival with many (King Charles among them) championing the environmental value of properly maintained hedges.
\n\"Hedge Hedge laying competition in Somerset<\/div> Simply put, hedge laying involves clearing an overgrown hedge of brambles and excess growth and cutting the remaining upright stems (\u2018pleachers\u2019) nearly through and laying them (in the Dorset\/Devon style at least) as horizontally as possible on the ground or bank. This encourages upright new growth and creates a stock proof barrier with a thick base. Hedge laying is only carried out in the dormant season (and before the nesting season); typically, hedges need to be laid about every 15 years.
\n\"Hedge Hedge laying in action at the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale competition<\/div>See Hedge Laying in Action <\/b>As suppliers of bareroot hedging<\/a>, Ashridge is proud to sponsor the B&SV Annual Hedge Laying Competition. This year\u2019s competition takes place on Sunday 26th February at Babcary, Somerset and is the 26th in its history. Around fifty entrants are expected and will work in the North Dorset\/South Somerset style, using pegs and not stakes. The hedge that\u2019s being tackled is believed to be an old \u2018Enclosure hedge\u2019 \u2013 a hedge that owes its existence to the enclosure acts of the late 18th-century. Such hedges often consist of hawthorn<\/a> and blackthorn<\/a>. The competition is a great place to learn about hedge laying by watching professionals at work and even have a go yourself. Novice hedge cutters are welcome, and no previous experience is needed as two professionals will train Novice Class entrants. Chain-saws are permitted, as well as traditional hand tools. Entry is free and organisers provide a snack lunch and each competitor takes home a case of beer. Sounds like a good deal to us! You can enter up to two days before the competition \u2013 contact Peter FitzGerald peterrfitzg@aol.com<\/a> for more details. In Praise of Hedges<\/strong> Good fences make good neighbours, as the old saying goes. But what makes a good fence? It all depends on what you want to enclose of course, but we believe a hedge is hard to beat.
\n\"Juvenile Juvenile Robin enjoying a hawthorn hedge in summer<\/div> Hedges tick so many boxes: as well as being attractive they provide corridors and habitat for wildlife and capture carbon. They are natural windbreaks and help to mitigate soil erosion and flooding. The good news doesn\u2019t stop there – bareroot hedging plants are economical to buy and establish quickly, meaning you (and your neighbours) won\u2019t have long to wait before you can enjoy their benefits. And when it comes to maintaining mature hedges, laying is not the only way of keeping them in good shape. Trimming with shears or electric trimmers is the go-to for most people, as Garden Ninja Lee Burkhill explains in his ultimate beginner’s guide to hedge cutting, pruning and trimming<\/a>. Choosing and Planting a Hedge<\/strong> When it comes to planning a new hedge, there\u2019s no such thing as one size fits all. A formal, evergreen yew<\/a> or privet<\/a> hedge might be just the ticket for a tennis court or swimming pool (where their dense foliage will provide shelter and privacy without any pesky autumn leaves to collect) but both are toxic to livestock and therefore unsuitable for enclosing a paddock. If you are planting a hedge to enclose livestock<\/a> such as cattle and horses, you\u2019ll also want to avoid blackthorn<\/a> (whose long thorns can scratch an animal\u2019s eye), and, similarly, a child friendly hedge should also be thornfree.
\n\"Beautiful Beautiful black angus cow next to stock friendly hedge<\/div> A new hedge is worth some pre-planning \u2013 after all you are planting a feature that should last generations. Our hedge mixes<\/a> make that choice easier, and cover every eventuality, whether you want an all-season ornamental garden hedge or a berry-rich bird friendly hedge<\/a> tailored to cater for avian wildlife. We also stock essential accessories like mulch mats<\/a> and pegs<\/a> and spirals<\/a>. For human foodies, we have an Edible Hedge mix<\/a> containing five species of fruit<\/a> and nut trees<\/a> to complement any kitchen garden, and Elspeth\u2019s Edibles<\/a> mix featuring eight edible species that are ideal for hedgerow jam devotees. Our Native Conservation Hedging<\/a> and Livestock Friendly Hedging mixes<\/a> offer terrific value for landscape and agricultural settings and will grow in almost any site. If you live near the sea your hedge will probably need to be able to cope with an exposed site, salty winds and free-draining soil. Our Coastal Hedging Mix<\/a> contains seven species chosen to do just that, including the iconic seaside plant tamarisk. Whether you\u2019re using a ready-made mix, or freestyling with your own blend of plants, once you\u2019ve planted a hedge you will experience a unique sense of satisfaction, one that will only grow as your hedge establishes. Hedges have a positive impact on the environment but their effect on human health cannot be underestimated either. The icing on the cake is that bareroot hedging plants are super easy to plant \u2013 just check our Bareroot Native Country Hedge planting video<\/a> for guidance and get your hedgerow journey underway.\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRelated Products\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Mature\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Bird\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHawthorn Hedge Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Common\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Mature\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHazel Hedge Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\u00a31.49\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Wild\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Wild\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWild Crab Apple Hedge Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Guelder\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Guelder\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGuelder Rose Hedge Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Narrow\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Copper\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tCopper \/ Purple Beech Hedging Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\u00a33.90\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Field\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Field\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tField Maple Hedge Plants\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t
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