An annual inspection and maintenance work has been carried out on our SE perimeter mixed-species native hedge, after the planting of more whips to fill gaps last autumn. Sections of the hedge have been re-laid and stakes and binders added, using hazel coppice stakes and binders from our site coppice plot. It’s been more than twenty years since TCV and RPA volunteers started work on planting the first section, at the Church Grove Passage entrance end. ‘The Plotholder’ newsletter reports make interesting reading about this sustainable and beneficial project for plotholders and wildlife alike.

“One of the many attractive features of the Paddocks allotments is the old perimeter wall around three sides of the site. The fourth side, along the Avenue, was bounded by a wooden fence which became increasingly dilapidated. It was replaced by substantial secure metal railings. These, though quite attractive to look at, have two disadvantages, lack of privacy for the plotholders backing on to the fence and the clear view for passers-by of the back ends of the plots. In 2005 we decided to plant a traditional hedge of native species paralleling the metal fence. A double staggered row of bare-root young trees (whips) was planned. The hedge line is along the edge of the chestnuts, not too far under to be shaded but not far out to encroach on productive ground.

A small group prepared and planted the ground in three sections, starting at the Church Grove end, over the winters between 2005 and 2008. During the process we unearthed and disposed of large amounts of glass, plastic and other rubbish. Altogether we planted around 1200 trees, all native species bearing seeds and nuts useful for birds such as finches, and flowers with nectar to support pollinating insects. If the hedge thickens up enough birds will be able to nest – blackbirds, which feed on insect pests, and snail-eating thrushes. The hedge is predominantly hawthorn, but also contains blackthorn, hazel, field maple, dog rose, guelder rose, buckthorn, crab apple, spindle, dogwood, rowan and wayfaring tree. Each tree cost around 50 pence, and many plotholders contributed to the cost of their section, as well as keeping a watchful eye on the plants. Fortunately there was only one dry summer, 2007, when the section of new whips needed watering, so there were very few failures.

The entire hedge is doing well now, and the first section at the St John’s end is now four years old. The hedge will need some maintenance, and ideally it should be laid when it is about 10 years old. Hedge-laying is a traditional method which thickens up the base of the hedge and makes it stockproof. Each vertical stem is almost cut through, leaving a small amount of intact bark. The stem is then bent almost horizontal and staked. New vertical growth then takes place along the whole length of the horizontal, in effect forming a living fence, or ‘fedge’. (_Susan _and Andrew Saunders The Plotholder, no 34, Summer 2010__)

“Because of the length involved, it’s taken three winters to plant, but the first section, at the Church Grove end, is growing strongly, and the rest is catching up. The hedge contains 50% hawthorn, and a 50% mix of hazel, guelder rose, blackthorn, field maple and dogrose. The thorns will help security, and the fruits and nuts will provide a valuable source of food both for wildlife and tenants – a future batch of Royal Paddocks Sloe Gin should be a definite possibility.” (Andrew and Susan Saunders The Plotholder, no 30 Winter 2008)

“The St John’s end of the hedge is now quite tall and needs to be neatened up by subjecting it to laying using the rural craft once commonplace for securing farm animals. The technique is to cut the stems at the base of the young trees, leaving a small segment of the encircling bark intact. The tree is then laid almost horizontal. This procedure continues along the length of the hedge. Side branches are cut and tucked in. To secure this rather vulnerable arrangement the horizontal components are woven around stout 2m hazel stakes hammered into the ground. To further strengthen the whole structure thinner, longer hazel stems called binders are woven in and out along the tops of the stakes. In spring there will be new growth arising from the base of each tree leading to a thicker, neater hedge.
Ashley Catto helped the Richmond TCV group on the day. He says: ‘There were about 20 of us in all and the day started with a torrential downpour. After signing a form to say we understood the dangers, Ray Hulm, Steve Todd, Martin Johnson and myself were the allotment ‘team’. TCV group supplied tea and biscuits and after a break for lunch, we finished about 30 metres before calling it a day’.” (Andrew Saunders, The Plotholder, no 43 February 2015)

Michael White writes about hedge laying and it’s relevance for farmers in The Guardian’s ‘Country Diary’: ‘But what did farmers do for the hundreds of years before stock fencing was invented? Hedges, so rooted in what we wistfully consider to be our natural landscape, are in fact human-made features, planted almost solely for the purpose of enclosure. Unmanaged hedges are not a permanent solution, though: young trees mature, trunks become bare, and animal sized holes appear, rendering them useless. To remedy this, the practice of hedge laying was developed; unlike bricklaying, it is an act of maintenance rather than creation. Regional styles abound: Devon’s hedges growing atop banks are laid very low; the “Midland style” is laid high and thick to withstand cattle. Learning to lay in the “south of England style” was not complicated, but becoming proficient has taken years of practice.’ (Michael White, Country Diary, The Guardian Sat 17 Jan 2026 https://www.theguardian.com)
Ambrose, who manages and maintains our living hedge, with help from Jem, says that it’s laid in the ‘southern style’.
Jenny Bourne 25.01.26