National Hedgelaying Society
"Committed to conserving hedgerows through traditional skills"
Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales
Regional Styles of Hedgelaying
Why are hedges laid?
Laying hedges is just one of the techniques in managing hedgerows. Other
techniques include "Trimming" and "Coppicing" (Cutting off at ground level
to encourage the hedge to regenerate). Left unmanaged a hedgerow will continue
to grow upwards and outwards and will eventually become a line of trees.
Where farmers keep cattle or sheep a good hedge is essential, for although
barbed wire fences can easily be erected they do not provide shelter like
a hedge. Hedges are also important for our wildlife and for their scenic
value. A well-managed hedgerow is thick and bushy, an impenetrable barrier
to sheep and cattle and a haven for wildlife. Cattle will lean against a
hedge and make gaps whilst Sheep push through the base, hedge laying prevents
this. The cut stems, which are bent over at an angle, prevent the sheep
pushing through the stakes driven into the hedge and the binding along the
top makes the fence strong to resist the weight of cattle. Laying the hedge
also tidies it up and encourages the shrubs to regenerate keeping the hedge
bushy and healthy. Once a hedge has been laid regular trimming will keep
it in good order for up to 50 years when it may be appropriate to lay the
hedge again, or even coppice it.
Why are there different styles? There are different styles of hedge laying in different parts of the UK. Each style has been developed over many years to cope with the climate of the area, different farming practices and the type of trees and shrubs that grow in the hedge. There are more than thirty styles recorded in the UK plus others in France, Germany and Holland. Each year the National Championship tests the skills of the hedge layer on eight of the main styles in current use. The following are brief descriptions and details may vary even within the same region.
Midland Bullock. 
Farms with large animals, e.g. cattle and horses need hedges able to withstand
the weight of the animal pushing against them, styles such as the Sussex
Bullock and Midland Bullock were developed for this purpose. With a finished
height of 4ft 6 Ins, the stakes are driven into the ground 18 Inches apart
behind the stool (stem) line towards the brush (bushy) side. Hazel binders
are woven along the top to give maximum strength. The livestock would be
in the field behind the brush side of the hedge with a crop on the other
side (face or plough side).
Welsh Border.
This is a double brush hedge with stakes driven in at 35-degree slant, 30"
apart. Dead wood is used in the hedge to protect the regrowth from being
browsed by stock. The dead wood and live layers are bound down the centre
line, with top and side of hedge being trimmed.
Derbyshire.
The brush (bushy growth)
is placed to the livestock side. Sawn timber stakes are used 24" to
30" apart. A strong, stock proof hedge is built by weaving the laid
stems (Pleaches) in front and behind the stakes - no binders are needed.
Finished height of the hedge is 3' 6" - 4'.
South of England. 
This hedge is cut and laid over to create a double brush. A single line
of stakes 18" apart in the centre of the hedge with the top bound. Both
sides of the hedge are trimmed.
Lancashire & Westmorland. 
The hedges needed to be well maintained for both cattle and sheep. Stakes
are placed about 18ins apart on alternate sides of the hedge with the pleachers
(stems) laid between at approx 45 degrees. The pleachers are woven around
the stakes and the hedge finished to a height of at least 3ft 6ins the hedge
is square cut.
Yorkshire. 
If the crop rotation is of an arable bias, as in parts of Yorkshire a very
thin hedge may be laid as no stock would be held in fields against the hedge
for up to five years, this gives the laid hedge time to regenerate before
the threat of grazing off by stock. This hedge is used in sheep/arable rotation,
with arable rotation being used when the hedge is first laid. The hedge
is cut close to the ground with plenty of thickness of material in the bottom.
Sawn stakes and rails are used to finish the hedge.
Devon.
This hedge is normally laid on top of a bank (which normally forms the main
barrier against livestock) the densely packed brush designed to keep sheep
and lambs secure. This style uses crooked hazel sticks to secure hedge and
binders.
North Somerset. 
A row of Stakes placed alternately on either side of the hedge holds the
stems in place with some being woven around the stakes.
The Society publishes a book "Hedge Laying Explained" which gives details of many of the different styles and techniques used in laying. A Video/DVD is also available showing some of the styles and techniques, explained by the craftsman who lay them. We also operate an "Accreditation" scheme to ensure that commercial hedgelayers are able to match the levels of skill required to be called "Craftsman".