Hedgerows

Description

Hedgerows provide a very important wildlife habitat in the Irish landscape. As we have so little native woodland in Ireland, hedges are an important substitute for woodland edge habitat. They host a wide range of plant and shrub species, insects, birds and mammals. Most hedgerows originate from planting and typically form field or property boundaries. The majority were planted in the 18th century but there are some very ancient hedgerows which are often much more species rich. Many occur on raised banks of earth that are derived from the excavation of associated drainage ditches.

Hedgerows commonly support a high proportion of shrubs such as hawthorn, blackthorn, gorse, holly, dog-rose or bramble

Hedgerows commonly support many native and non-native trees and shrubs including,ash, hazel, beech, elder and willows. Some of these may occur as scattered tall trees. Hedgerows frequently support climbing plants such as ivy and honeysuckle. The most significant threats to hedgerows include inappropriate management and clearance of hedgerows for development of land and agricultural expansion.

Legislation

Section 40 of the Wildlife act 1976 as amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife (Amendment Act) 2000, restricts the cutting, grubbing, burning, or destruction by other means of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, from 1st March to 31st August. This applies to private land-users, local authorities, public bodies and contractors. It is a policy of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to prosecute where there appears to have been a breach of the law. More information is available on www.npws.ie under Policy.

What Can I Do?

• If you are concerned about any activities in your area that are destructive to hedgerows, you can report details to the Gardai or your local Wildlife Ranger, whose number will be in the telephone directory
• When planting a new hedge it is important to use native species grown from native seed sources. Where possible, use seeds that have been locally sourced
• If you have hedgerows on your property, you should consider appropriate management techniques. Without appropriate regenerative management we will lose many of our hedges to old age in the near future. The traditional craft of hedge-laying is an effective method of rejuvenation. Information about appropriate hedgerow management can be found at www.teagasc.ie/publications/forestry/hedges.htm

Hedge laying involves partially cutting through the living stems of trees and shrubs growing in a hedgerow near ground level, and bending them over at an angle. The cut stems are tucked tightly together and staked vertically and bound horizontally for strength to produce a strong hedge

For more information about hedgerows visit www.networksfornature.com, and www.thehedge.org .