Instructions on Hedging Landscapes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Traditional Hedge Laying: A Timeless Craft Revived
Traditional hedge laying, a centuries-old technique, is making a comeback in modern gardening. This method involves manually weaving and shaping hedging stems to create a living fence that rejuvenates from the base for many years.
The Steps of Traditional Hedge Laying
- Assessment and Planning
- Choose the appropriate hedge species and mark out the hedge line with string or stakes for alignment. Recommended tools: Measuring tape, stakes, string, marker flags.
- Cutting the Stake Line and Pleachers
- Cut the main stems (pleachers) of the existing hedge near ground level at an angle without severing the base completely.
- Remove some of the lower branches to clear space. Recommended tools: Billhook or pruning saw (for cutting stems), secateurs (for smaller branches).
- Laying the Pleachers
- Bend the partial cut stems over horizontally, weaving them tightly together to form the hedge structure.
- Place vertical stakes firmly into the ground on the hedge line to support the laid stems. Recommended tools: Billhook (for cutting and shaping pleachers), mallet or hammer (for driving stakes), wooden stakes.
- Fixing and Binding
- Bind the laid stems to the stakes using hazel or withy binders/rope to hold the structure securely.
- Trim and shape the hedge for an even appearance, encouraging dense growth. Recommended tools: Binding material (hazel rods, withy rope), mallet or hammer, secateurs or shears (for trimming).
The Tools of the Trade
While more modern gardeners might use secateurs and pruning saws, traditional hedge laying almost always uses a billhook for cutting pleachers. Other essential tools include mallets, hammers, stakes, and binding materials like hazel rods and withy rope.
Reviving a Dying Tradition
Traditional hedge laying is a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors. From the Yorkshire style to the Welsh Border method, regional variations reflect the rich tapestry of Britain's rural heritage. Today, organisations like the National Hedge Laying Society continue to promote this craft, offering courses and details of professional hedge-layers.
The annual National Hedge Laying Championship, featuring over 100 competitors and eight regional styles, is a testament to the enduring appeal of this centuries-old skill. By laying a hedge, you help to encourage new growth and regenerate old, overgrown hedges without replacing them.
Sources: 1. Mobilane 2. Common Woodland Craft Knowledge 3. National Hedge Laying Society 4. Carters 5. Morris & Sons Ltd.
Gardening enthusiasts may choose to embrace the traditional hedge laying technique, a centuries-old method that's making a resurgence in home-and-garden lifestyle. This artisan craft, with regional variations like the Yorkshire style and the Welsh Border method, is a testament to the ingenuity of our ancestors and a valuable aspect of Britain's rural heritage. In modern gardening, one can learn and master the timeless steps, using tools such as a billhook, mallet, stakes, and binding materials like hazel rods and withy rope.
By reviving traditional hedge laying, one can play a crucial role in nurturing the landscape of gardens and open spaces, fostering renewed growth in aging hedges and promoting a sense of community as part of the growing home-and-garden movement. Organizations like the National Hedge Laying Society provide resources and courses, while events like the National Hedge Laying Championship celebrate this timeless craft in a competitive setting, showcasing its enduring appeal.
