Hedgerow trees – a valuable asset in the countryside

Phillip and Barry Meeke manage a mixed farm with their father John, near Dromara in Co Down.  In spite of the demands of a busy dairy, beef and cereals farm, they carry out a regular programme of hedge restoration and maintenance.  They are Countryside Management Scheme participants and have laid many hedges on the farm in recent years to fill in gaps.  The Meekes have been careful to retain a succession of hedgerow trees of differing ages.  As well as being attractive in the landscape, these trees provide summer shade for livestock and nesting sites for birds.  

Hedgerows contain about 60 percent of Northern Ireland’s broadleaved trees.  However, many of these trees are now mature and the widespread use of mechanical hedge-cutters means that fewer saplings are left to replace them.

On your farm, it is great to retain good hedgerow trees of varying ages in an existing hedge.  To allow a succession of trees, the ideal ratio in a hedge is six saplings: three young trees: two medium trees: one mature tree.  

You can select suitable young saplings to encourage a diverse age structure to grow.  Remember that before trimming or topping a hedge, it is a good idea to mark saplings that are suitable to grow into mature hedgerow trees, so that cutting machinery does not damage them.  

For more information on hedgerow management, please contact Countryside Management Branch at your local DARD Office.

Phillip Meeke and Elizabeth Whiteside, Countryside Management Branch, pictured at a hedge which Phillip laid three years ago.  Mature ash trees and young saplings have been retained for future generations to enjoy.