Habitat Characteristics - Hedgerows are complex habitats providing elements of woodland edge scrub and grassland, and trees banks and ditches add to this complexity. This variety provides shelter food and corridors for a large number of plant and animal species, and hedgerows are critical for the survival of a great deal of our wildlife. Hedges are an important element at landscape scale.
Further Information -
The Essex Biodiversity Project has published a leaflet with advice on how to manage and restore existing hedgerows, and how to plant new hedgerows. The leaflet (PDF 1.6MB) can be downloaded by clicking this link.
Hedgelink - www.hedgelink.org.uk is a partnership that brings together those who are interested in hedgerows to share knowledge and ideas, and has a particular responsibility to deliver the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for Hedgerows. The website has downloadable leaflets on Hedgerow planting, Hedgerow Trees and Hedge Cutting.
Natural England - Leaflets available from Natural England published in April 2008 on hedgerows. Click on the name to download leaflets
Hedgerow planting - answers to 18 common questions
(PDF 646 KB)
Hedgerow trees - answers to 18 common questions
(PDF 690 KB)
Peoples Trust for Endangered Species - Further advice on managing hedgerows can be seen at the website, http://ptes.org/index.php?cat=61 Their related pages include a hedgerow management guide in PDF format.