Hedgerow Plants
Acer campestre (Field Maple)
Acer campestre (Field Maple)
Fast growth means the stems are often larger diameter at the base than the surrounding plants. Strong horizontal branches usually require removal before laying. Makes a good hedge and regenerates well.
Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore)
Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore)
Lays well but its spreading habit doesn’t make a good hedge. can be used for stakes if there are better alternatives to lay.
Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)
Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut)
Makes a poor hedgerow plant both as a tree where it shades out the hedge and as a laid pleacher (doesn’t lay well).
Betula pendula (Birch)
Betula pendula (Birch)
Often these fast growing trees have grown up above the rest of the hedge. Either leave them as standards or remove them. The branches often make excellent dead wood if there are any gaps to fill.
Carpinus betulus
Carpinus betulus
More often planted as a monoculture for a formal hedge, pleaches well and can make strong hedging stakes.
Cornaceae sanguinea (Dogwood)
Cornaceae sanguinea (Dogwood)
A shrub which has value as a flowering and fruiting plant. Only lay if there are no alternatives. Thinner stems can be bent over or coppice the whole plant to the ground and allow it to regrow.
Corylus avellana (Hazel)
Corylus avellana (Hazel)
The staple hedgerow plant not least because of its propensity to make excellent and plentiful stakes and binders. This tree also has a habit of growing multiple stems so giving plenty of choice for pleaching. Beware cutting the tops from young stems as they have a habit of dying off.
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)
An excellent hedgerow plant which along with Blackthorn makes up the bulk of most newly planted hedges. Lays well and forms a thick and stock proof hedge. Also good at putting off unwanted visitors (security).
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)
Excellent hedgerow plant which lays well and has large off-putting thorns. Suckers readily which can be a problem (growing from the roots and spreading). Care is needed working with Blackthorn as it can cause blood poisoning or less serious but painful swelling from puncture wounds. Even scratches can be painful and become infected.