Most of the hedges that we see around Rushcliffe date back to the time of the enclosures at the latter end of the 18^th Century. These are almost invariably straight as their alignments were determined by government surveyors when the mediaeval countryside was divided up to enable best use of the modern farming practices. The mediaeval landscape would have appeared bleak but due to the low intensity practices and tolerance of untidiness held bountiful wildlife.

Most farmland today is truly bleak; weed-less, drained and devoid of invertebrates and were it not for the hedges and the hedgerow trees, the Rushcliffe landscape would also look far more bleak and desolate than the mediaeval one. This pocket handkerchief pattern often depicted from the air seems so typical of rural England but look a little closer and all is not what it seems.

Since the middle of the 20^th Century, the flail hedge trimmer has usurped traditional management practices, partly because of the move away from grazing and the need for stockproof boundaries but largely because of the economy and speed of maintenance of the hedge. But annual cutting alone, eventually destroys the hedge and in the meantime, prevents a great many insects and birds from benefiting from it.

An overly mature hawthorn hedge has thick upright stems that are beginning to rot at the base and has short-lived invasive species that create gaps and hasten its decline. Cyclical laying, before this stage encourages fresh new growth from the base and a dense structure ideal for nesting birds. If the hedge is allowed to get too old, laying becomes out of the question and the only option to keep the hedge is to pollard it down to the base – a drastic-looking but effective option. Cutting annually also prevents the haws maturing for our wintering thrushes and the Brown Hairstreak butterfly depends on the current year’s growth for its life-cycle: Their numbers are in sharp decline.

Even amateurish attempts at hedge-laying will sustain old hedges - and nature is very forgiving!

I think another reason for annual cutting is the perception that the countryside needs to look tidy and neat. The mediaeval landscape may have looked bleak but the low intensity practices and tolerance of nature made it a much better place for wildlife.