10 Comments

• 1Joe Walshe March 13th, 2016

  It never occured to me that Hedge laying could create an impenetrable barrier to keep animals in field and deer out. Considering the cost of fencing and the hazards of having animals escaping onto roads that could make hedge laying an attractive option.

  
  

• 2rmfoster March 13th, 2016

  This method of landscape management is an utter diabolical disgrace. It shouts that we do not care a hoot for nature, this hurts my soul so profoundly seeing our hedgerows butchered like this every year and it startles me that we have allowed such a monopoly of farming to change our country so definitively. Just who exactly allowed this handful of men to own thousands and thousands of acres, buying up all the small farms, who allowed these few men to take over Farming in the UK? These businessmen have fired so many land workers, destroyed communities, sold the homes or have allowed them to go to ruin, they have bought in immense gas guzzling machines that do the work of twenty men, which has only served to utterly ruin the farming community in one foul Century. And then they have the gall to tell us that we are losing the Bees, that Ash Trees, Beech Trees and Oak Trees are all dying, explaining how our country side is suffering on so many levels, whilst trying to convince us G.M.O is the way forwards. When are the good men and women of the UK going to realise how successfully they have been played and duped by a small group of despicable, cold, greedy men and find the gumption and wherewithal to take back our Country?????

  
  

• 3Dave Darby March 13th, 2016

  Don’t know if you’ve seen this – http://lowimpactorg.wpengine.com/live-from-the-real-farming-conference-equality-in-the-countryside-a-rural-manifesto/
  
  A new rural manifesto by the Landworkers’ Alliance and the Land magazine.

  
  

• 4Jane Williams March 13th, 2016

  I live in The Vale of Glamorgan South Wales & see much evidence of hedgerows being cut using a flail. In contrast, having holidayed frequently in The Cotswolds, the management of hedgerows there is so much more sympathetic with widespread – evidence of hedgelayjng and planting of new hedge is widespread

  
  

• 5N Onion March 14th, 2016

  Flail cutting is widespread here in North Yorkshire – I’ve contacted the local wildlife trust in the past, when I’ve seen it done during nesting season, but they don’t seem to be able to do much, just said ‘some farmers have special permission to cut then’ – ie. some farmers can do what they want, and hang the consequences. It makes me angry and sad that they can do this when birds are nesting – especially when it’s illegal to disturb nesting birds. Then they do it again in the autumn, destroying all the fruit and berries – which are beneficial for us and wildlife. It’s more evidence of the triumph of greed and money over what is best for the environment.

  
  

• 6Judith Jones March 26th, 2016

  Here in Lincolnshire the hedge flailing seems to start earlier than ever; the farmers now start as soon as they have the crop taken in which is now much earlier than in the past. This results in the annihilation of the autumn fruit harvest which would feed the birds and small mammals (and also our blackberry and sloe harvest!) There’s little point in creating wildlife edges to the fields for nesting birds, only to destroy their autumn food supply needed to prepare themselves for winter. Also the flailing covers all our country roads in jagged twigs and thorns which are a nightmare for bike riders – it’s simply impossible to get through a journey without a puncture. Again – rather pointless to promote bike riding and the sustrans cycle path routes and then have them made impassable.

  
  

• 7annbeirneanimalwhisperert March 14th, 2019

  I know this will sound naïve couldn’t the good people in each area, who already have hedge laying skills teach other interested party’s to do it too, I personally would love to learn how to do this and I’m not daft enough to know it won’t take time, it would have to be done on a voluntary basis as the cost of having done seems to be one of the stumbling blocks at present, flailing is cruel, I love trees well all of nature really and I would like to help properly not just by signing petitions action is needed and there are people ready and waiting to do this I’m sure, I am going to see if I can find a hedge laying course here in Staffordshire. I hadn’t realised why the hedges looked so damaged thankfully I now know, one of our country parks near where I lived must use a flailing machine it breaks my heart, leaving trees and hedges in these states allows disease to get in and kill them off, this is a criminal waste of a wonderful resource for nesting birds, insects and much much more,

  
  

• 8Hedgerow Defenders February 23rd, 2024

  This post may be a few years old, but the problem is getting worse, not better. Loss of biodiversity is reaching critical point with cascade failure a real possibility. Hedgehogs and Yellowhammers, once common enough across our countryside, are now on the Red List of endangered species, we've almost lost the Cirl Bunting altogether and others are sure to follow if nothing is done.

  Farmers have it in their hands to back off the blades and leave some foliage on the bush when they cut, meaning second-year growth has a chance to bear fruit. Cutting again in early spring as many do compromises the hedge even further, and all we are seeing now across the landscape is row upon row of barren, stricken sticks. The countryside is silent.

  Hedgerow Defenders was set up in 2020 with a website and a Facebook page. In contact with people who could potentially make a difference, HD seeks to turn the tide on hedgerow management before it's too late. Having lost all songbird species bar Blackbird and Robin (garden nesters) in our immediate area, it's clear that the problem is in desperate need of redress and that thugging (hugging the hedge closely with tractor blades) is not a sustainable form of environmental management. Please do all you can to spread information on this issue and join groups seeking to protect the countryside for future generations.

• 9Rebecca Stacey February 25th, 2024

  Hi Hedge Defenders - I'm just wondering if you fancy doing a bit of an updated blog about it all now? Get in touch if so - [email protected]

  
  

  Thanks!

• 10Hedgerow Defenders February 28th, 2024

  Thank you Rebecca, I have emailed you. Clearly traction is slowly being gained but everyone reading this needs to do something in defence of sustainable land management - the countryside needs you right now, and may suffer irreparable damage without your help. Please support Low Impact and any other organisation that is in a position to press for change - e.g. local Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, BTO, Nature Friendly Farming Network and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.... DEFRA, Natural England and Hedgelink are also worthy contacts. You can find more information on the hedgerow crisis and useful links on Hedgerow Defenders' website.Thank you for adding your voice in defence of Britain's fragile ecology. There is absolutely no time left to waste.