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General Points
Any new hedge planting should aim to link existing hedges, woodlands or other natural features such as ponds. This will create wildlife corridors and add maximum value to the new hedgerow. Other things to consider before planting a new hedge are soil type, possible underground services, such as water supplies and possible shared boundaries.

Species Selection
Choose native species that are growing in your locality. For maximum wildlife benefit Hawthorn should make up at least 75% of the hedge. The remainder can be made up from blackthorn, hazel, dogwood, guelder rose, field maple, dog rose or holly. The hedge should have a mixture containing at least 4 different species within the new planting.

Hedgerow Trees
Within your planting scheme incorporate hedgerow trees such as oak, ash, wild cherry, hornbeam or field maple, approximately every 50m depending on the landscape, but consider any overhead cables beforehand.

Planting Preparation
Clear the ground of all existing vegetation, either by digging over the turf and incorporating it into the ground or by spraying with a glyfosate based herbicide at least 6 weeks prior to planting,. The ground should ideally be rotovated, to a depth of approx 18'' and well rotted manure incorporated before planting.

Planting the Hedge
Planting should be done between November and March. Planting should be avoided when the ground is waterlogged or frozen as this can lead to poor root growth. During storage and just before planting, ensure bare roots do not dry out. Keep the plants protected from low temperatures prior to planting. A recommended planting rate is 6 plants per metre in a double staggered row. The easiest method of planting is notch planting directly through plastic mulch.

Weed Control
Grass and weeds are the biggest competitor for light, water and nutrients on a newly planted hedge. To ensure good plant survival the hedge should be kept as weed free as possible for a least the first 3 years. Suitable mulches for weed suppression include, black plastic, woven polypropylene, old straw and bark. Herbicides can also be used, but an annual application is needed early in the year to reduce early weed competition.

Protecting Your New Hedge
Where necessary the new hedge will need protecting from grazing livestock and wild animals such as rabbits and deer. Fencing should be erected at a sufficient distance from the new hedge to avoid grazing though the fence. Ideally fencing should be at least 1m from the newly planted hedge. Rabbit protection should ideally be permanent rabbit fencing on both sides of the hedge, burried under the ground, however clear plastic spiral guards will also protect plants from rabbit damage, the addition of a cane in each will protect plants in windy sites.

Aftercare
Keep the young hedge weed free and moist, mulching will help. Careful trimming in the first few years will encouarge dense growth at the base of the hedge. Each sucessive trim should be progresively higher and wider to gradually bring the hedge to its final width and height. An alternative way to gain a dense hedge is to coppice it at ground level after the first year, encouraging the plant to produce multiple shoots. Laying of the hedge could also be considered after 5 - 7 years. If the hedge is to be layed, no trimming is required until laying.

Shape
An ‘A shaped’ hedge is one of the best for wildlife and ideally should be at leat 1.5m high by 1.5m wide.

Cutting
Cut as late as possible in February/early March, prior to the nesting season, but when the seeds/berries will have been eaten by the over wintering birds. Do not cut during the best nesting season. It is an offence, under Section 1 of the Wildlife Countryside Act (1981), to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird which is being used or built. Ideally the hedge should be trimmed every second year as the fruits are produced on the previous seasons growth.

Credits: Kent High Weald Project & Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)

Web links

English Woodlands - Tree Nursery, Heathfield, East Sussex

Coblands - Tree Nursery, Tonbridge, Kent

Oakover - Tree Nursery, Horthfield, Nr Ashford, Kent

British trees.com - for all those interested in native british trees