Suitable for ACRES farmers

Above: A farmer carefully lays a whitethorn hedge

What: Free Hedgerow Management demo focusing on hedgelaying, coppicing,planting and growing trees.
Where: At Martin Burns farm, Drumcrew, Castleblayney, Eircode A75CP
When: Sunday 8th October 2023 between 2pm and 5pm.
Who: The demo is being organised by John McKeon (087 1462790)

Upcoming Demonstration of Hedgerow Management:

An upcoming demonstration near Castleblayney will give local farmers and landowners the opportunity to learn the fine art of hedgerow management using a blend of traditional and modern approaches. Topics to be covered include hedgelaying, coppicing, hedge planting and finally growing Irish trees from locally collected seeds in small tree nurseries. It’s free and it’s being run and organised by John McKeon, an expert in tree planting, management and nursery establishment.
John has a wealth of experience in farm planning and knows it will be of particular interest to farmers who are involved in the ACRES environmental scheme. John can be contacted at 087 1462790 for more details.

Curing Sick Hedges

During the workshop John will be explaining how ‘coppicing’ and ‘hedge-laying’ can be used as drastic surgery for a sick hedge. When cut hard back at the base, whitethorn has the ability to renew itself by growing new shoots which produce a thick hedge. Coppicing involves cutting the stems at ground level. Gaps should be planted with new whitethorn and also introduce other trees like crab apple, holly, spindle, hazel, guilder rose to increase biodiversity. Coppicing is the most drastic hedge treatment as it removes everything and it will be three or four years before the new growth forms a new hedge. A coppiced hedge must be fenced to protect it from grazing animals.

The Essence of Hedgelaying can be understood through these images.
Hedge laying is the craft of cutting hedgerow stems partly through so they will bend over without breaking and continue to grow. The cut stems are laid to form a stock-proof barrier. New growth comes from the cut stump at ground level, thickening up from the base. The process if carried out every 40-50 years can extend the lifespan of the hedge indefinitely. John will explain and demonstrate these methods during the workshop.

Who Do Hedges Matter?

A total of 35 shrub and tree species, including 27 native species, were recorded in the Monaghan Hedgerow Survey, undertaken in 2010. A well-managed dense hedge provides a good habitat for insects, birds and plants. Of particular interest to farmers is that a good thick hedge provides a stock-proof barrier as well as shelter for farm animals. Scientific research shows that traditional breeds will selectively browse from hedgerows for the improvement of their own health.

Saplings of young native Irish trees, grown in John’s nursery.

Traditional Winter Work

Coppicing and hedge laying were traditional winter work on farms and produced enough wood to heat the house as well as rejuvenating the hedge. These old crafts are a far cry from the mechanical hedge cutting of today which often leaves the hedges, shattered, battered, gappy and broken. Tractor hedge cutters can only work on the top and side of hedges. This may be adequate for a young vigorous hedge. As hedges age they become leggy and gappy and decay or rot enters the stems at ground level. If the hedge is to be saved and returned to the vigour of its youth,tractor flailing is not the correct option – it should be coppiced or laid. After a few years later you can start cutting by tractor saw again.

Time versus Money

Now, all this is well and good but some landowners will baulk at the idea of carrying out this physical work which is understandable. However the annual cost of hiring a mechanical hedgecutter as well as the heavy investment in stock proof fencing need to be weighed up against the cost of laying or coppicing a hedge: with ACRES support available it will certainly make financial support for some. Laid hedges also have more benefits than wire fences, such as shelter, wildlife, visual amenity, carbon sink and water control. Hedge work is time consuming manual work but with training it can be a very rewarding and fulfilling outdoor activity. For anyone who wants to learn more should attend Johns demo and you can make up your own mind about the practical application of the methods on your own land.