Hedgerow Management

Much of the current unmissable hedgerow restoration will be on the hedges along Skipwith Road and Wheldrake Lane and the work got underway in late October. This work will take the form of coppicing, which is a method of restoration which sees the hedge cut down to about 12-15cm’s (6 inches) with the top growth removed. It’s important to note that the hedgerows are not being removed and they will grow back quickly and with many more stems to revitalize the hedge.

We are aiming to undertake the coppicing over two winters (24/25 & 25/26) which will allow us to cut sections of hedges rather than the full length in one go. This will reduce the visual impact of the work and allow the hedgerows to regrow back strongly and allow us to plant up any gaps. Importantly this approach retains lots of habitat for wildlife in the remaining hedge sections and as we coppice other sections next year there will still be mature hedges in the same area which will retain species until the new growth has matured.

Our assessment of the hedges is based on the condition of the stems and the spacing of these within the hedgerow. The majority of stems are large, old (at least 30 years and often much more) and contain a lot of dead wood and ‘wood worm’ making them unsuitable for laying as stems will break rather than bend. There are also a number of wide spaced stems which will be planted between with new plants (gapping up.)

‘Coppicing or laying is essential to every hedgerow to reset their succession when they mature past their peak condition. It needs to happen every 30 or 40 years and is a non-negotiable – hedgerows die without rejuvenation. Rejuvenation is also the best time to gap up and thicken up thin areas with new whips, which stand a much better chance of thriving without so much light competition.’ Hedge management options (ptes.org)

New hedge planting will take place at various places across the Estate this winter and next. The aim of this is to provide strategic links to and from other hedgerows and habitats such as woodlands as well as filling in some large gaps in existing hedge lines. Further planting will take place in subsequent years.

Hedgerows and the associated margins are a key feature and priority of the Estate and we are working on a programme to create north-south and east-west corridors of tall and wide hedgerows that are well managed on rotation.

Mark Hewitt, Conservation Lead, Escrick Park Estate

November 2024