Another Hedgelaying Success

Eric Joinson looking proud of the hedge at
Poulton Hall. Photo: Paul Loughnane

Wirral Countryside Volunteers (WCV) recently held their 10th free hedgelaying training day for the Cheshire style. This attracted 28 participants, including 12 absolute beginners, who came from as far away as Knutsford, Wrexham and Ambleside. Four participants came by public transport. The hedge at Poulton Hall, Bebington was an interesting hedge and of some significance as it was planted in 1993 with a woody species planted for each century that the Lancelyn Greens have resided at Poulton Hall. They were first recorded as being there in 1093.

The Lancelyn Greens are owners of four CWT reserves namely Thornton, Foxes, Intake Woods and Tom’s Paddock. The hazel hedge stakes came from New Ferry Butterfly Park’s Brick Pit Coppice, a fifth CWT reserve.

This was WCV’s best laid hedge to date. We can get even better. Derrick Hale, of the National Hedgelaying Society committee, complimented the “Consistent angles and build in that hedge.” Several factors contributed to the high standard of hedge laying. The breaking in of the hedge into 8m lengths prior to the training day meant that new cutters could get started straight away and follow the flow of pleachers (the cut stems which are bent over) already laid. The young hedge lent itself to being laid as well as it was just less than 2m in height and there was not much brash removal required. The hedge had been carefully trimmed by hand by the Hall’s gardeners so it had little rot and no gnarled wounds or split ends that are caused by blunt mechanical cutters. In addition the collective skills of the WCV have increased considerably in recent years.

Liverpool John Moores Conservation Society
students having a go at hedgelaying

Liz Kenny, a new volunteer said “I learned so much from being paired-up with an experienced hedgelayer, and John guided me through all the stages, making sure I had lots of practice using bill hook, axe and saw on a variety of species in the hedge. It was really satisfying to see the difference we had made by the end of the day."

Weeding can be an issue with weeds rapid smothering newly laid hedges, reducing the regrowth from the base, but not here as the gardeners mow just in front of the hedge. We will be back in autumn to tackle another 100m of this ideal beginner’s hedge. Some were surprised by the wheel barrow delivery hedge-side of supplies of home-made cake and fresh tea, but that is standard WCV style.