Hedge laying in North Shropshire & Powys
I provide traditional and functional hedge laying services throughout North Shropshire & Powys
About me
Traditional hedge laying and outdoor projects
I learned the art of hedge laying and other rural skills from my grandfather (pictured above, with me, in 1962) who owned a small dairy farm in South Shropshire. He passed on to me his love of the countryside, the art of fly fishing and the value of craftsmanship. He taught me skills that I now use to help my clients create traditional and contemporary outdoor projects. Wherever possible and practical, I like to use recycled or natural materials. This can reduce the cost of projects and their effect on the environment.
I am a contractor member of the National Hedge Laying Society and cover North Shropshire and Powys.
To minimise the environmental impact of my work, wherever possible, I use hand tools and battery-operated equipment. This sometimes requires customers to provide electrical charging facilities on site.
From hedge laying to landscaping, I deliver a design and build service that combines practicality with flair. I take pride in the quality of my workmanship and all my work is guaranteed for 12 months. I am fully insured for public liability.
Please see below some of the projects I have delivered to customers.
a hedge before laying
This hedge was planted ten years ago with a mix of native species such as hawthorn, elder and blackthorn. Most of the lateral growth has been cut out, but the vertical growth needs to be 'pleached' or laid so that the line of trees becomes an intertwined dense hedge. The main advantage of this technique is that the hedge will last for many years and the fence behind the hedge will soon become redundant. This saves the landowner time and money because the fence posts will not need to replaced every ten years or so.
the hedge being laid
The laying process is half way through. The vertical limbs are being cut, laid and staked to hold them in place. Deciduous trees within the hedge - such as oaks - have been left intact and not laid. Within a year, the hedge will grow vertical growth from the bottom of the cut limbs. This will deliver a strong stock proof hedge that is impenetrable to all but the smallest animals. This traditional craft provides a haven for many different types of wildlife. Birds and small mammals can now use the hedge as a secure home, safe from predators.
the hedge after one year
New vertical growth from the pleached limbs has created a lattice of branches that is impenetrable from the roadside. The hedge is now completely stock proof and is home to nesting birds, hedgehogs and field mice. As a complete hedge, rather than just a line of trees, the hedge now also acts as a natural windbreak to the field behind. Note the small oak tree within the hedge that has been left to grow. The landowner has planted Spring daffodils along the hedge and sown a mix of pollinating wild native flowers on the verge for the Summer. The hedge now only requires light annual trimming. on the top and sides. This trimming can be easily done with a domestic hedge trimmer.
A very old hedge in need of laying
This mature hedge on the banks of the River Vrynwy in Powys was last laid about sixty years ago. There are now major gaps within the hedge that need to be filled with a mix of hawthorn and hazel. The home owner asked for the hedge to be laid with hazel stakes and binders.
laying and binding now complete
The work is now finished - apart from the gap planting which will need to wait until the ground has thawed. Some mature trees have been left unlaid. This is best practice as defined by The Woodland Trust.
A hawthorn hedge in a residential area
This hedge was planted about twenty years opposite a row of residential housing. The residents asked the land owner if the hedge could be laid, so as to improve their outlook. He agreed and wanted the hedge to be laid in the functional style using machined and treated pine stakes.
The hedge after laying
The hedge laying is now finished. The residents can now see across the field to the farmland beyond. The hedge is also renewed and will soon develop into a stock-proof barrier.