Hedgerow Restoration
Project
To coppice and re-plant 200m of native hedge at Rough Bank, Bisley. Including stock proof fencing to protect the hedge.
Aim
The restoration of a failing native hedge back to a valuable field boundary and habitat for butterfly conservation.
Outcome
The hedge was planted with 1250 native hedge plants, 12 different species in double rows. These were protected with rabbit guards and then the hedge line was fenced off to protect from grazing stock and deer.
T he Butterfly Conservation trust own and manage the rough Bank nature reserve near Bisley, Stroud. As a part of their on-going management plan for the site they wished to restore one of their field boundary hedges. Wild Service was commissioned to carry out the work during March 2015. The existing hedge was no longer suitable to be laid and it was decided to coppice the old hedge and re-plant between the coppiced stumps over a distance of 200m.
The hedge was coppiced to ground level, a degree of bramble and scrub was cut and mulched on-site before 1250 native hedge plants were planted. The species included – Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Wild pear, Hazel, Crab apple, Dogwood, Common Buckthorn, Common Privet, Wayfaring Tree, Spindle, Dog Rose, Whitebeam, Field Maple, Guelder Rose and Wych Elm. The plants were ‘plug’ as opposed to ‘rootstock’ and were pre-fertilised prior to planting. The plants were all guarded and supported by a cane.
Immediately after planting the new hedge was stock fenced by Wild Service. The fence was a standard stock-proof fence with netting and two strands of barbed wire, however the posts were cleaved chestnut, which did add a nice touch to the whole project. The hedge is now growing happily and we look forward to returning in a few years’ time to lay it.
