Tagging To Save Saplings

Farmers and landowners who participate in agri- environment schemes are required to retain existing mature trees and allow some saplings to grow into hedgerow trees as part of their scheme requirements regarding field boundary management.

Hedgerow trees are a characteristic feature of the Northern Ireland landscape and help give the countryside a wooded appearance. Many of our hedgerow trees are mature and need replaced. The simplest and cheapest method of establishing hedgerow trees is to allow strongly growing saplings to develop in the hedge. Suitable species for retaining in hedgerows include oak, ash, rowan, holly and crab apple. Willow, alder and birch are more suited to damper sites.

Existing saplings, or newly planted saplings, in hedgerows can be encouraged to grow into trees by tagging with brightly coloured tags or ribbon, making them visible to hedge cutting machine operators, hence allowing them to establish. A fertiliser bag cut into lengths can also be used effectively and removed after cutting. Hand-trim the hedge about one-metre on each side of the selected sapling to make it more visible. After a number of years this practice can be discontinued as the saplings mature above the height of the hedgerow and are visible to the machine operator.

When tagging young saplings choose a single straight stem spaced approximately 10-15 metres apart. Avoid saplings beneath overhead power lines or those with the potential to block site lines at entrances.

For further information about hedgerow saplings or other aspects of countryside management, please contact your Countryside Management Branch at your local DARD office.