The History of Hedgelaying 

The exact origins of hedgelaying remain unclear, but we know that trees have marked boundaries in Britain since at least the Bronze
 Age. At that time, much of the UK was densely forested. Early farmers cleared woodland to make space for crops and grazing livestock, often leaving trees to mark the edges of their fields.

Over time, those remaining trees would cast shade over the fields, reducing yields. When this became a problem, farmers would cut down the trees, using the timber for fuel or tools. Fortunately, many native British tree species coppice naturally—that is, they send up new shoots from the base after being cut. This results in dense, low growth that forms a natural barrier without overly shading the land.

At some point, whether by accident or trial, a tree wasn’t completely cut down. A partly severed trunk remained attached to the stump, producing new growth. Over time, this technique was refined: trees were cut partway through and laid over to create a living fence. Thus, hedgelaying was born.

The Rise of Hedgelaying

Hedgelaying saw its heyday after the Inclosure Acts, when Parliament encouraged the enclosure of common land into privately owned fields. This required new boundaries, and hedges became an essential solution. Hedgelaying also provided valuable winter employment for rural workers, allowing them to support their families during the quieter agricultural months.

Hedgelaying not only kept livestock safely contained but also helped define and protect field borders.

Decline in the 20th Century 

By the 1930s, priorities began to shift. Livestock farming declined, and arable agriculture expanded. As a result, hedges were no longer needed for stock control and fell into neglect. The rise of mechanised farming made smaller fields inefficient. Larger fields were easier to manage with tractors and other machinery, prompting the removal of many hedgerows by grubbing them out.

Though still practised in some areas, traditional hedgelaying has become rare - often the preserve of conservationists. Most farmers now manage hedges by flailing—an annual mechanical trim outside of bird nesting season. While efficient, flailing can damage hedgerows and reduce their value for wildlife, particularly as it is often done before the berries have been consumed.

Hedgelaying Theory & Practice

Left alone, a hedgerow will gradually become a row of trees. As the trees mature, they lose lower branches, leading to gaps at the base—problematic when the hedge is meant to contain livestock. In the days before wire fencing, an effective, stock-proof hedge was essential.

Hedgelaying maintains the hedge as a living barrier, whilst promoting its rejuvenation from the base. The process involves partially cutting stems (called pleachers) near the base and bending them over at about a 30° angle. This angle helps keep the sap flowing, allowing the stem to remain alive and continue growing. The pleachers are supported by stakes and bound with woven sticks (heatherings) to strengthen the structure. The 

Over time, the tree sends out new shoots from its base. While the laid stem may continue to grow for a few years, this vigorous new growth eventually takes over, and the old pleacher dies back. This is useful when it comes time to re-lay the hedge, the new vertical growth can be used in the same way, whilst the dead pleacher is removed. 

Hedgelaying styles vary by region and were shaped by local needs. For example, the Midlands style is especially sturdy, designed to withstand heavy cattle such as bullocks.

Watch Hedgelaying in Action - A Ministry of Information Broadcast

This YouTube video is an old Ministry of Information broadcast featuring a Northamptonshire hedglayer, Arthur Deighton, who adeptly shows off his craft, all whilst smoking a pipe, of course!

Hedgerows and Wildlife

Hedgerows are ecological powerhouses. They provide:

• Shelter and nesting sites for small birds
• Wildlife corridors, offering safe routes between habitats
• Windbreaks, which create warm, sheltered microclimates
• Carbon sinks, with new growth absorbing CO₂
• Food sources, including flowers for pollinators, berries for birds, and leaves for caterpillars

By preserving hedgerows through practices like hedgelaying, we support an incredible range of species in a very space-efficient way. 

Healthy Hedges Project & Beyond

The Healthy Hedges project has allowed us to equip our volunteers with the skills and tools (literally) to be able to take up this heritage craft on-site. The hedge bordering The Wilderness was last laid in 2007, which, as I write this, was around 18 years ago. This is fairly typical; hedgerows need relaying every 10-20 years, depending on growing conditions and the composite species. Left for much longer, the trees start to put on more weight and girth at the base, which makes the process of hedgelaying much more difficult.  

After relaying, some areas of the hedge may appear sparse. These gaps are filled by 'gapping up' - planting additional native trees, which helps ensure the hedge is thick, healthy, and future-proof. We used the opportunity to increase species diversity in The Wilderness hedge, planting native trees that benefit both birds and pollinators. Several also serve as larval food plants for butterflies and moths:

• Alder Buckthorn – Brimstone butterfly
• Wych Elm – White-letter hairstreak
• Wild Privet & Guelder Rose – Privet hawkmoth
• Honeysuckle – White admiral butterfly

We intend to continue laying, restoring and improving our hedgerows across Warley Woods, so watch this space! 

Hedgelaying over Winter 2025/26 

The Wild Warley Conservation Volunteers (WWCV) were eager to continue practising the hedgelaying skills the Healthy Hedges project equipped them with; better still, the knowledge is being shared, keeping this heritage craft alive at Warley Woods. 

A beautiful synergy has been found this year, with one conservation practice enabling another. Our yearly Willow scrub removal from The Wilderness's interior has given us some of the flexible wooden heatherings that tie the top of the freshly laid hedge together. I cannot speak for my volunteers, but I find that there is something incredibly satisfying in that efficiency.

I'm sure you will be pleased to know that despite the drought, the section of hedgerow laid last year is responding well. Fresh growth has been sprouting from the base of the laid stems as well as suckering shoots erupting out of the ground. Within a few more years, the low-lying dense growth of a thriving hedge will be present once again.

Freshly laid hedge aerial - April 2026 - Photo courtesy of Jon H.

We are grateful to the Severn Trent Community Fund for making the Healthy Hedges project possible.