Hedgerows in Devon The South West has the highest density of hedges and hedge banks, and the greatest amount of woodland. Hedgebanks are a distinctive feature of Devon and Cornwall and are the most common field boundary in the region.

The total hedgerow length in the region is unknown but the highest national densities of this resource are believed to occur in the South- West. The current UK total for hedgerows is estimated to be 450,000 km with a continued overall net rate of loss of about 5% a year and 329,000 km of this is in England (UK Steering Group, 1995). There is a UK Habitat Action Plan for ancient and/or species rich hedgerows

Background

Hedgerows covered in the Biodiversity Action Plan include ancient hedgerows and species-rich hedgerows.

Ancient hedgerows tend to support the greatest diversity of plants and animals. These hedgerows have been in existence before the Enclosure Acts (1720 - 1840 in Britain).
Species-rich hedgerows contain 5 or more native woody species on average in a 30 metre length (or 4 or more in northern England, upland Wales and Scotland).

Hedgerows are important habitats in their own right. They are a primary habitat for at least 47 extant species of conservation concern in the UK, including 13 globally threatened or rapidly declining ones, more than for most other key habitats. They are especially important for butterflies and moths, farmland birds, bats and dormice.

Hedgerows are the most significant wildlife habitat over large stretches of lowland UK and are essential refuge for a great many woodland and farmland plants and animals. Over 600 plant species (including some endemic species such as a whitebeam Sorbus devoniensis), 1500 insects, 65 birds and 20 mammals have been recorded at some time living or feeding in hedgerows.

Hedgerows may also act as wildlife corridors for many species, including reptiles and amphibians, allowing dispersal and movement between other habitats, although this is difficult to prove conclusively.

Hedges are important not just for biodiversity, but also for farming, landscape, cultural and archaeological reasons.

In 1993 it was estimated that about 329,000 km of hedgerow remained in England and 49,000 km in Wales. In 1990, a similar estimate for Scotland was 33,000 km. The current UK total, assuming a continued overall net rate of loss due to removal and neglect of about 5% pa in all four countries, may be estimated to be about 450,000 km.

Hedgerow Surveys

The Hedgerow Survey Handbook - A standard procedure for local surveys in the UK has been prepared on behalf of the Steering Group for the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for Hedgerows. Published in March 2007, this first edition handbook aims to improve the fact that we still don’t know enough about the quality and make up of our hedgerows. There is a broad picture available at a national level through the national Countryside Survey programme, but action requires local knowledge and this is lacking over the majority of the UK.

This detailed survey handbook described how and what should be surveyed, how to complete Field Survey forms and data management.

The Hedge (& wall) Importance Test (HIT), provided by Cornish Hedges, is a simple and comprehensive guide to the importance of any hedge, hedgerow, hedgebank or dry-stone wall. It does not interfere with the hedge or the wildlife in it, and can be carried out at any season of the year. The test is designed for use by the general public, free of charge. It uses a single-sheet survey form and help-note to assess the hedge's value in landscape, history and wildlife. The HIT database automatically gives a detailed written description of the hedge.

Hedgerows in the South West

The South West's ancient and/or species rich hedgerows are detailed in the South West Biodiversity Action Plan and the region's Local Biodiversity Action Plans. There is little data available to quantify hedgerows at a local level, however, click on the county of interest below for more details of the resource and links to further information. These details are by no means conclusive, please contact us should you have any further information that you would like to see included.

Hedgerows in Cornwall

Hedges form one of the most prominent features in the Cornish landscape. The total length of hedgerows in the county has been estimated at 50,000 km (approximately 30,000 miles), equivalent to West Penwith in area. Other boundary features, such as stone walls, cereal field margins and ditches are alsoextensive throughout the county.

In Cornwall, most boundaries are thought to derive from field patterns developed and enclosed in the medieval period, though many are also the result of the enclosure of former heathland in the 18th and 19th centuries. In some areas, notably west Penwith and parts of the Lizard, many boundaries have their origins in later prehistory (c. 1700 BC - AD 400). The main areas of 'ancient' boundaries have been identified in the Cornwall Landscape Assessment (Cornwall County Council), which included characterisation of the historic landscape, mapping of 'anciently enclosed land' (predominantly medieval-derived field systems, covering 57% of the area of the county) and 'recently enclosed land' (18th and 19th century enclosures, covering 17% of the county).

Cornish Hedges is a very useful website detailing the history of hedges and field boundaries in the county and promoting good practice. The Hedge (& wall) Importance Test (HIT) provides a simple and comprehensive guide to the importance of any hedge, hedgerow, hedgebank or dry-stone wall. It does not interfere with the hedge or the wildlife in it, and can be carried out at any season of the year. The test is designed for use by the general public, free of charge. It uses a single-sheet survey form and help-note to assess the hedge's value in landscape, history and wildlife. The HIT database automatically gives a detailed written description of the hedge.

Hedgerows in Devon

Devon has more hedges remaining than any other county in the UK, reflecting its large size, its pastoral landscape and the favourable management and agricultural systems adopted by local farmers. It is estimated that there are 53,000 km (33,000 miles) of hedge still in the county, and that Devon has about 20% of all the species-rich hedges left in the UK.

Devon's hedgebanks are an intimate element of the farmed landscape and over large areas of the county are the main refuge for a wide range of plants and animals - the "biodiversity". The successful conservation of hedges is critical to that of Devon's characteristic landscapes and much of the county's wildlife.

More information about hedgerows in Devon is available on Devon County Council's biodiversity pages, A Better Future for Biodiversity Devon County Council’s Role and Action Programme also contains detailed information and actions aiming to conserve hedgerows in the county.

Dartmoor is an important area for hedgerows and hedgerow trees, hedge banks, stone walls and isolated trees. Some boundaries within the National Park can clearly be identified as part of the reave system, the field banks of the Bronze Age some 3,500 years ago.

Over 600 flowering plants, 1,500 insects, 65 birds and 20 mammals have been recorded as living or feeding in hedgerows. The sheer extent of the habitat, particularly in rural areas such as Dartmoor, means that it is of great importance for the survival of many species. The variety of trees and shrubs found in Dartmoor's field boundaries is a characteristic feature, and often confirms the age of the boundary in the landscape. Species-rich hedgerows are the most valuable to wildlife and are used by rare species such as cirl bunting and the greater horseshoe bat, as well as rapidly declining species such as the brown hairstreak butterfly, dormouse and song thrush. Primrose, early purple orchid and bluebell are amongst the most characteristic plants of Dartmoor hedge banks, which support a wide range of wildlife such as the Red Data Book Little Robin (Geranium purpureum), and provide nest sites for birds, including the redstart which is largely restricted to western counties of England. Old ash pollards near Holne

More information and action to conserve Dartmoor's hedgerows is available in the Dartmoor Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Hedgerows are also a feature in the North Devon Local Biodiversity Action Plan. There are no figures currently available on the mileage of species rich hedgerows in North Devon - however, the many miles of hedgerow in North Devon represent a highly significant and under-rated wildlife habitat. Some of the larger, wider hedges in the district probably represent the edges of former ancient woodlands, the centres of which were cleared to created open fields. Hedges in North Devon vary from dense, well trimmed lines of shrubs such as hawthorn and blackthorn, to overgrown hedgebanks containing mature ash and oak.

Hedgerows in Somerset

Somerset has a rich network of hedgerows and field boundaries ranging from the upland beech hedges of Exmoor, the Blackdown and Quantock Hills in the west, to the lowland ancient species-rich hedges throughout central Somerset, rising again to the stone walls and hedges of the Mendip Hills.

Somerset has experienced less hedgerow loss than more eastern counties but it is important to manage the existing hedge resource.

Ancient and/or species rich hedgerows in South West Local Biodiversity Action Plan details

The Somerset Hedge Group aims to:

Promote good practice in hedge management
Raise awareness and appreciation of the value of hedges to farming and non-farming communities
Increase the conservation of the hedge network across the county

The Blackdown Hills Hedge Association also covers part of Somerset (within the Blackdown Hills AONB)

Hedgerows in Dorset

In Dorset, the west of the county holds the highest concentration of ancient and/or species rich hedgerows. More information and action to conserve hedgerows in Dorset is available in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Dorset.

The Blackdown Hills Hedge Association covers part of Dorset (within the Blackdown Hills AONB)

Hedgerows in Wiltshire

A length of 33,600 km of hedgerows was estimated in 1957 for the whole of Wiltshire. This was worked out on a sample of approximately 9 km of hedges per 1 km.

Cotswolds - widespread, particularly characteristic of southern Cotswolds. Often the hedges have a woodland character with hazel, primrose and bluebell. Wessex Vales - this natural area has a "well developed network of hedgerows, containing native species such as field maple, blackthorn and oak. The network is often associated with both semi-natural and agriculturally improved land."ú Species associated with hedges here include the brown hairstreak butterfly and song thrush.

Thames and Avon Vales - "strongly characteristic in the landscape, particularly in pastoral areas and a significant nature conservation feature. Many are well stocked with trees, particularly crack willow, many of which are pollarded."þ

South Wessex Downs - Limited in distribution and most are found in the south of the county.

More information and action to conserve hedgerows in Wiltshire are available in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Wiltshire

Hedgerows in Gloucestershire

Hedgerows form a significant and characteristic part of the Gloucestershire landscape. However, relatively little is known of the actual extent and distribution of ancient and species rich hedgerows throughout the county. Currently there is no countywide data on the status of Gloucestershire's hedgerow resource. It has been estimated that in 1977 there were over 10,000 km (an average of 5 km of hedge per km 2 ) of hedgerows in the county (Wildlife in Gloucestershire; A Habitat Survey. GTNC).

Although most of the county's hedges date from the major periods of parliamentary enclosure, certain hedgerows are very old, in particular some that form parish boundaries have been shown to date from the 9 th and 13 th Centuries.

More information and actions to conserve hedgerows in Gloucestershire are available in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Gloucestershire

Hedgerows in the former Avon area

Typical hedgerow species for North Somerset include:

hawthorn, blackthorn, willows, ash, hazel, elder, field maple and oak.

Ancient hedgerows may contain:

spindle, hazel, dogwood, small-leaved lime, privet and field maple; and ground flora species such as dog’s mercury and yellow archangel.
On limestone soils, such as the Mendip slopes, hedgerows usually contain ash.
On the more waterlogged soils of the North Somerset Levels and Moors, characteristic species include willow species and alder. Black poplar is a rare but characteristic tree of the Levels landscape.

The tall hedgerows in North Somerset are particularly important because they serve as navigation routes and roost sites for the many rare bats that are found in the area.

The North Somerset Hedgerow Survey are undertaken to support 'Action for Nature,' the North Somerset Biodiversity Action Plan amd aim to gain a better indication of the distribution of species-rich hedgerows in North Somerset.

More information and actions to conserve hedgerows in North Somerset are available in Action for Nature - North Somerset Biodiversity Action Plan 2005

Hedgerow protection

Ancient and species rich hedgerows are included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and have a specific Habitat Action Plan. This recognises the importance of hedgerows not just for biodiversity but also for farming, landscape, cultural and archaeological reasons. Hedgerows are important in their own right:

As a habitat for at least 47 species of conservation concern in the UK, including 13 globally threatened or rapidly declining ones
They are especially important for butterflies, moths, farmland birds, bats and dormice
They are the most significant wildlife habitat over large stretches of lowland UK and are essential refuge for many woodland and farmland plants and animals. Over 1,500 insects, 6,000 plant species, 65 birds amd 20 mammals have been recorded at some time living or feeding in hedgerows
They are important wildlife corridors for many species allowing dispersal and movement between other habitats.

Extent of hedgerows & rate of loss

The current UK total for hedgerows is estimated to be around 450,000 km (with 329,000 km of this found in England. with a continued net loss of about 5% a year. The total length of hedgerow in the South West is unknown but the region is believed to have the highest densities in the UK.

Little data is readily available to quantify hedgerows. It is, however, known to be declining both in quantity and quality, both through outright hedge removal and through neglect or mismanagement. In Cornwall, for example, prior to 1988, the net rate of hedge loss for the two or three decades prior to 1988 was 2% (0.5%) per decade, or about 100 km per key.

Current factors causing hedgerow loss and damage in the South West include:

Neglect (no-cutting or laying) reflecting modern high labour costs and loss of traditional skills or the belief that no management at all is beneficial to landscape and wildlife.
Unsympathetic cutting practices, such as cutting all hedges on a farm every year, cutting during the bird breeding season, cutting ancient hedgerow trees, pollards or very old trees, sometimes for the sake of tidiness alone.
Fertiliser and pesticide drift, or direct application, into hedge bottoms.
Lowering of banks and removal for agricultural or development purposes, including road widening.
Erosion of banks through heavy stocking and , alongside tracks and roads, abrasion by vehicles
Off-site removal of eroded bank soil, or the unsympathetic replacement of such soil back onto banks
Loss of hedgerow trees through senescence or felling, without encouraging replacements
Arable specialisation, removing the need for hedges for stock control or shelter.
Ploughing too close to the hedge base.
Lack of recognition of hedgebanks as a distinctive hedge type in some national schemes.

In addition, the following factors have indirect effects:

Shortage of data on extent or quality of the resource.
Want of consensus about optimal hedge cutting methods.
Lack of knowledge about invertebrate communities, or their management requirements.
It remains to be seen whether support for hedges under Countryside Stewardship will be adequate especially since the closure of the Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme in February 1996, and the cutting of many local authority landscape conservation schemes due to the shortage of funds

Source: UK Biodiversity Action Plan and South West Biodiversity Action Plan - Hedgerows Habitat Action Plan

Current action & targets

Details of current action and Biodiversity Action Targets are available from the South West Biodiversity Action Plan

Current South West targets include

Objective 1

On a district-wide scale, halt the net loss of species-rich hedges (including hedgebanks) through neglect and removal (by 2000) and all loss of hedges that are ancient (by 2005)

Objective 2

Within any one district, achieve the favourable management of species-rich hedges.

Target: 25% by 2000, 50% by 2005

Objective 3

Maintain overall numbers of isolated hedgerow trees within each district, through ensuring a balanced age structure.

Target: by 2000

Hedges fund a wealth of wildlife and landscapes

Healthy hedgerows are the backbone of many of our most loved landscapes and critical to the survival of much our rarest wildlife. Now an alliance of organisations have got together to promote essential hedgerow management with a new film.

To help ensure that hedges are not lost through neglect or over management and that we keep the creative skills needed to look after hedges. Natural England has created a film that guides people through the complexities of hedgerow management. The film has been created in partnership with the National Hedgelaying Society, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the RSPB, the Tree Council and Defra.

Key things to know about hedges:

There are 506, 000 miles of hedge in the UK, although only about 25% are considered to be in favourable condition.
The pattern and structure of hedges across the country contributes a great deal to defining the 159 distinct Landscape Character Areas in England.
Many are well over 1,000 years old, marking parish boundaries and most are over 200 years old. • All hedgerows mainly made of native species of tree and shrub, are now recognised as a priority habitat within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. They support an enormous wealth of wildlife, including many rare and declining species.
Since agri-environment schemes were launched 21 years ago, they have helped restore over 7,000 miles of hedgerows. • There are various stages in the life cycle of a hedge, from when it is planted or laid, through its growth, to the time when it is next ready for laying or coppicing.
Laying is the art of cutting part way through stems near their base, and then laying them over close to the ground to re-create a thick and bushy hedgerow.
Coppicing involves cutting the stems completely off close to the ground, and is usually only used when the stems are too big to be layed.
Through a careful cutting regime, a hedge can remain in good, stock-proof condition for up to 40 years before it needs to be rejuvenated by laying or coppicing.
Young hedge trees need to be protected from damage caused by cutting and other management of the hedge. Without this protection for the next generation of trees, the landscape of the UK will change irrevocably.

A Cut Above The Rest is available as a DVD free from Natural England’s Enquiry Service 0845 600 3078; enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk