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Home > Spaces and species > FarmLife > Hedgerows

Hedgerows

Photo by John Comont

National lead organisation: Defra

Local lead organisation:

Bedfordshire FWAG

A hedgerow is a more or less continuous line of shrubs or trees that has been cut often to maintain a regular shape. This includes both recently-managed and other hedges, including hedges with walls or fences. Some hedgerows are very old and have historic as well as ecological value.

Hedgerows in Bedfordshire and Luton

The oldest recorded hedges in the county date from 969 AD. In 1991 it was estimated that 4,500 km of hedgerows exist in the county. Luton is thought to have up to 80 km of pre-1901 hedgerows. Some of our most common hedgerow shrub species are hawthorn, blackthorn, elder and ash.

Check out these links to learn more about hedgerows:

National action plan for hedgerows

Bedfordshire & Luton action plan for hedgerows (COMING SOON!)

Maulden Parish local hedgerow survey report and appendices (BedsLife 2007)

Studham Parish local hedgerow census report (BedsLife 2006)

Hedgelink - working together for the UK's hedgerows

About hedges, hedgelaying and how to find a hedge layer

Hedge cutting: answers to 18 common questions (Natural England)

Hedgerow trees: answers to 18 common questions (Natural England)

Hedgerow planting: answers to 18 common questions (Natural England)

Hedgerows: their socio-economic benefits (Natural England)

Hedgerow survey handbook (Defra)