How to manage my hedgerow for wildlife

  • Remove weeds by hoe or by hand to reduce competition for water whilst your hedgerow establishes.
  • Allow plants to establish for at least a year before pruning.
  • Late winter (January & February) is a good time to prune because fruit and berries will have been eaten and your plants will be dormant.
  • Do not prune during spring or summer as you may disturb nesting birds and other wildlife.
  • Trim your hedge to keep it at the height and spread you want. If possible cut on a three year cycle (one side, top, the other side) to allow time for flowering and fruiting shrubs to develop.
  • The best wildlife hedgerows are an ‘A’ shape, thick at the base and thinner on top to allow light through to the ground flora.
  • If you have space, allow some native trees to grow to maturity as standards within the hedge.
  • Dead and decaying wood is an important feature of hedgerow. Providing they pose no risk of harm or injury try to leave dead branches and trees to rot down naturally.

Posted in: Wildlife Gardening on 16 June 2015


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