Walk through almost any part of Britain and you’ll find them: the quiet, twisting lines that stitch our fields together. Hedgerows are so familiar that we barely notice them — until they’re gone. Yet these living boundaries are among the most hardworking, ecologically valuable, and culturally significant features in our landscape. They shelter livestock, feed birds through winter, slow the wind across open fields, hold soil in place, and guide wildlife safely across farmland. They are, in many ways, the countryside’s circulatory system, the blood vessels of the land that sustain life — and their decline has been one of the great unnoticed losses of the last century (Tree Council, 2024).
This blog explores what hedgerows are, why they matter, how to plant and manage them, and how to bring tired, over‑stood hedges back to life. It blends practical guidance with the growing body of scientific evidence that shows just how vital these living boundaries are.
What Is a Hedgerow?
Let’s start with the basics. A hedgerow is a linear strip of shrubs, trees, ground flora, and associated features such as banks and ditches. Ecologically, it functions as a woodland edge in miniature — a habitat type once widespread across Britain before agricultural intensification simplified the landscape (Montgomery, Caruso & Reid, 2020). Hedgerows are transitional spaces: neither woodland nor open field, but something in between. These “edge habitats” are disproportionately rich in biodiversity because they offer shelter, food, and structural complexity (García de León et al., 2021).
Much of Britain was once a mosaic of woodland edges, scrub, and wood pasture. As these habitats disappeared, hedgerows became the last remaining fragments of that ecological gradient. They now act as:
- nesting sites for birds
- foraging routes for bats
- overwintering habitat for insects
- movement corridors for mammals
Research shows hedgerows are among the most important linear habitats for wildlife connectivity in agricultural landscapes (Wolton et al., 2014; Baudry et al., 2000).
Historically, hedgerows were planted to mark land ownership, divide fields, and contain livestock. Before wire fencing, a well‑laid hedge was the most reliable stock barrier available. Even today, a dense, well‑managed hedge is safer and more resilient than many artificial alternatives.
All of this makes hedgerows not just historical features, but living systems whose condition matters — which is why their decline is so significant.
The Decline of Hedgerows — and Why It Matters
Understanding what hedgerows do makes their decline all the more concerning. Since the Second World War, Britain has lost around 50% of its hedgerows (Tree Council, 2024). Most were removed between the 1950s and 1980s to enlarge fields and mechanise farming. But removal isn’t the only issue: many surviving hedges are now in poor condition.
The causes of decline in condition include:
- removal for field enlargement
- annual flailing at the same height
- neglect and lack of rejuvenation
- loss of traditional skills such as hedge‑laying
- development and road building
The Countryside Survey shows that only around half of remaining hedgerows are in “favourable condition” (Norton et al., 2024).
Of all the pressures hedgerows face, routine cutting is one of the most influential. Flailing isn’t inherently harmful — when done well, it’s an efficient maintenance tool. But annual flailing at the same height, a practice common across Britain, causes:
Knuckling
Repeated cuts at the same point create hard, swollen “knuckles” of dead wood. The hedge stops producing new shoots and begins to die back (Staley et al., 2015).
Loss of winter forage
Annual cutting removes berries and nuts before wildlife can use them, reducing winter survival for many species (García de León et al., 2021).
Gappy bases
Without rejuvenation, the bottom opens up, reducing shelter, stock‑proofing, and habitat value.
Structural collapse
Eventually, the hedge becomes a line of leggy stems — more like a row of trees than a hedge.
Conversely, a few simple changes to routine management can dramatically improve hedge health:
- trim or flail every 2–3 years
- cut in a gentle A‑shape
- raise the cutting height and width incrementally (such as 10cm a year)
- avoid cutting during nesting season (March - September)
The Benefits of Hedgerows for Ecosystem Services
Hedgerows may be small, but their impact is huge. Beyond their cultural and historical value, they provide a remarkable suite of ecological functions — from carbon storage to pollination.
1. Carbon Storage and Climate Regulation
Soils beneath hedgerows store significantly more carbon than adjacent arable or grassland soils (Lewis et al., 2019). Above‑ground biomass also contributes to long‑term carbon sequestration.
2. Water Regulation
Hedgerows slow runoff, reduce erosion, and improve water infiltration — especially when planted along contours or beside ditches (Montgomery et al., 2020). By slowing runoff and increasing infiltration, hedgerows also reduce nutrient and sediment loss into watercourses, improving water quality across farmed landscapes.
3. Air Quality
Dense foliage filters particulates and ammonia, improving air quality around livestock units and roads (García de León et al., 2021).
4. Pollination and Pest Control
Hedgerows support pollinators and beneficial insects, improving crop resilience and reducing pest pressure (Merckx & Pereira, 2015).
5. Soil Health and Productivity
Hedgerows improve soil structure, reduce wind erosion, and create sheltered microclimates that can increase crop and grassland productivity (Thomas et al., 2020).
6. Habitat Connectivity
They act as wildlife corridors, allowing species to move safely across fragmented landscapes (Wolton et al., 2014).
Taken together, these services show that hedgerows aren’t just boundaries — they’re multifunctional systems that support the wider landscape. These ecological benefits translate directly into practical advantages for horse owners.
Why Hedgerows Matter for Horses
For horse owners, hedgerows aren’t just wildlife features — they’re working infrastructure that supports welfare, behaviour, and land resilience. They offer:
- Shelter from wind, rain, and sun
- Windbreaks that reduce stress and energy expenditure
- Natural browse that supports gut health and behaviour
- Environmental enrichment
- A safe, natural stock barrier
- Reduced mud through improved drainage and wind protection
A well‑structured hedge is one of the most valuable features you can add to a paddock. You can find more detail about the benefits of trees and hedgerows here.
The Easiest, Cheapest Way to Boost Biodiversity
For anyone managing land — whether a farm, a smallholding, or a single horse paddock — hedgerows are one of the easiest and most cost‑effective ways to increase biodiversity. A single mixed hedge can support hundreds of species, improve soil health, and enhance the pasture your horse relies on (García de León et al., 2021).
Few interventions give so much back for so little.
What a Healthy Hedge Looks Like — and Where to Put It
To get the most from a hedge — whether newly planted or decades old — it helps to understand what a healthy, well‑structured hedge actually looks like. A well‑designed hedge is more than a line of shrubs; it’s a living system whose structure, species mix, and placement shape how it functions for wildlife, water, soil, and livestock. Understanding what a “good” hedge looks like helps you plan new planting and diagnose issues in older ones.
The Ideal Hedge Structure
A healthy, resilient hedge typically has:
- A dense, bushy base — essential for wildlife shelter, stock‑proofing, and wind protection.
- A gentle A‑shape — wider at the bottom, narrowing slightly toward the top, which keeps light reaching the base and prevents gapping.
- Mixed species and ages — diversity increases resilience, supports more wildlife, and ensures long‑term structural stability.
- Occasional hedgerow trees — providing height, shade, perches, and long‑term carbon storage.
- A layered structure — woody shrubs, climbing plants, ground flora, and adjacent tussocky grass all working together.
- A hedge bank or ditch where possible — banks add height and root stability; ditches improve water regulation and biodiversity.
A hedge doesn’t need to be neat to be healthy — in fact, slightly taller, wider, and less frequently cut hedges support far more wildlife and remain structurally stronger.
Choosing the Right Species
Structure is only part of the picture — the species you choose will shape how your hedge grows, how it responds to management, and the wildlife it supports. Different species bring different strengths, and a mixed hedge is always best — but you can tailor the blend to your goals and the character of your local landscape:
- Hawthorn — the backbone of most stock‑proof hedges; fast‑growing and ideal for laying.
- Hazel — perfect for coppicing cycles; adds structural variety.
- Field maple — tough, shade‑tolerant, and great for filling gaps.
- Dog rose / honeysuckle — climbing species that add nectar, hips, and structural complexity.
- Spindle / guelder rose — high wildlife value and autumn colour.
A varied mix builds resilience to pests, disease, drought and climate change, while also creating a hedge that matures into a richer, more layered habitat over time. You can find out more about specific species and their benefits here.
Where to Put a Hedge
Placement shapes how well a hedge performs. Consider:
- Shelter and wind direction — planting on the prevailing‑wind side of a field creates sheltered microclimates for horses and pasture.
- Water flow — hedges along contours or beside ditches slow runoff, trap sediment, and improve water quality.
- Soil protection — hedges on slopes reduce erosion and stabilise banks.
- Shade and browse — placing hedges where horses can access them safely provides enrichment and natural forage.
- Connectivity — linking hedges to woodland edges, ponds, or other hedgerows creates continuous habitat networks that dramatically increase wildlife value.
- Access and management — ensure machinery can reach both sides for trimming and rejuvenation.
A hedge placed with purpose becomes part of a wider landscape system — supporting wildlife, improving soil and water, and strengthening the resilience of your land for decades to come.
How to Plant a New Hedgerow
Establishing a new hedge is straightforward, and a few early decisions will set it up for decades of health. Best practice (in accordance with Hedgelink and Natural England):
- Plant November–March
- Use mixed native species (hawthorn, hazel, field maple, dog rose, spindle)
- Plant in a double staggered row, 30–40cm apart
- Include occasional hedgerow trees
- Mulch and protect from grazing
- Light formative trimming in years 2–3
- Avoid flailing until well established
Managing Hedgerows Over Time
Once planted, a hedge’s long‑term health depends on how it is managed in the years that follow.
Routine Management
Routine trimming shapes how a hedge grows over decades, so small choices make a big difference.
- Trim every 2–3 years
- Cut in an A‑shape
- Raise cutting height gradually
- Allow berrying years
- Avoid nesting season
When a Hedge Needs Rejuvenation
Even with good routine management, every hedge eventually reaches a stage where it needs deeper rejuvenation. You can recognise an over‑mature hedge if:
- the base is gappy
- stems are tall and leggy
- it no longer forms a barrier
- it has been flailed at the same point for years
At this stage, trimming won’t fix it and rejuvenation needs to happen.
Rejuvenation Options
1. Hedge‑laying
Partially cutting and laying stems to stimulate dense regrowth.
Improves structure, stock‑proofing, and wildlife value (Staley et al., 2015).
There are many regional styles — Midland, Devon, Welsh, South of England — each developed to suit local livestock and landscapes. All share the same purpose: restoring a hedge’s density, longevity and function. Hedge‑laying is a traditional craft with centuries of evidence behind it, and is now supported through SFI payments for rejuvenation.
2. Coppicing
Cutting stems to ground level to restart vigorous growth.
Ideal for very over‑stood or single‑stem hedges.
Often combined with gap‑planting to rebuild structure and species diversity.
Laying and coppicing are best carried out in winter, when the hedge is dormant and wildlife disturbance is minimal. Both methods are part of the 8–15 year rejuvenation cycle recommended by Natural England.
Payments for Hedgerow Management
This kind of management takes time and skill, and policy is beginning to recognise that. Under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), land managers can receive payments for:
- assessing hedgerow condition
- managing hedges for wildlife
- increasing height and width
- allowing berrying years
- rejuvenation through laying or coppicing
These payments recognise that hedgerows deliver public goods — biodiversity, carbon storage, water regulation — that benefit everyone.
As nature markets develop, there are also increasing non‑governmental routes to fund hedgerow creation and management. These emerging mechanisms recognise hedgerows as valuable natural assets with benefits that extend beyond the farm boundary. Private‑sector opportunities — from biodiversity credits to corporate nature investment — are expanding rapidly, and well‑managed hedgerows are becoming an important component of whole‑farm natural capital planning.
Conclusion
Hedgerows are not relics of the past. They are living systems that support our soils, our wildlife, our horses, and our farms. They are the threads that hold our landscapes together.
With thoughtful planting, careful management, and a willingness to blend traditional skills with modern tools, we can ensure they continue to thrive for generations. In caring for hedgerows, we care for the land itself.
References
Baudry, J., Bunce, R.G.H. & Burel, F. (2000) Hedgerows: An international perspective on their origin, function and management. Journal of Environmental Management, 60(1), pp. 7–22.
García de León, D., et al. (2021) Contributions of hedgerows to people: A global meta‑analysis. Ecological Applications, 31(4).
Lewis, R., et al. (2019) Carbon storage in hedgerow soils. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 273, pp. 1–8.
Merckx, T. & Pereira, H.M. (2015) Reshaping agri‑environmental subsidies: From marginal farming to biodiversity‑friendly landscapes. Biological Conservation, 192, pp. 492–498.
Montgomery, I., Caruso, T. & Reid, N. (2020) Hedgerows as ecosystems: Service delivery, management and restoration. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(4), pp. 664–675.
Norton, L., et al. (2024) Hedgerow condition in the UK: Findings from the Countryside Survey. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Staley, J.T., et al. (2015) Re‑structuring hedges: Rejuvenation management improves long‑term quality. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 200, pp. 61–68.
Tree Council (2024) State of the UK’s Hedgerows Report.
Wolton, R., et al. (2014) Hedgerows as corridors for wildlife movement. Biological Conservation, 171, pp. 58–66.
