Hedgerows
Habitat Description
About 84% of hedgerows are covered by this definition. A hedgerow is defined as any boundary line of trees or shrubs over 20m long and less than 5m wide, and where any gaps between the trees or shrub species are less than 20m wide. All hedgerows consisting predominantly (i.e. 80% or more cover) of at least one woody native species are covered by this priority habitat. Up to 33% of all hedgerows can be described as ancient and/or species rich. Many of these are the remnants of ancient woodlands that have been left to enclose fields. To meet this definition, hedgerows must have one of the following:
- Five or more woody species per 30m section,
- Fewer woody species but a rich basal flora,
- Predate the Enclosure Acts (1720 1870).
 |
Ancient hedgerows are often found along Parish boundaries, streams and ancient roads and tracks. Enclosure hedgerows are found on early enclosures starting in the 13th Century. Hedgerows contain important ancient and veteran trees, which are often the oldest remaining historic link to the past. Some may have Tree Preservation Orders but most will be remnants of ancient woodland or will date back to when the site was enclosed. |
Current UK Status and Trends
Substantial decline; 21% between 1984 and 1998.
Estimated Current Northants Resource
In the region of 13000 km (1982 survey).
Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007
80% of farmers now within ELS with improved hedgerow management, covering at least one side of a total of 11,930 km of hedgerow.
Lead Partner
Natural England
Main Issues and Threats
- Under threat from the growth agenda; with large lengths being taken out for new housing development.
- Loss due to inappropriate management (over cutting, grazing, and spray drift).
- Becoming defunct due to lack of suitable management laying, coppicing, and suitable cutting regime.
- Increased field size through the removal of hedges.
- Replacement of hedges with fencing that is cheaper to maintain.
General Strategy
- Specific target areas include the Nene Valley, Rockingham Forest and Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge.
- Sympathetic management through Entry Level Scheme, encouraging farmers to join and use the enhanced hedgerow management option.
- Planting new hedgerows and restoration of existing hedgerows funded primarily through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Additional Information
Achieving condition (hedgerow trees): Management must be in place for 2 trees per 100m to reach a diameter of 15cm plus. Current work by the Tree Council is highlighting the importance of hedgerow trees and they are also running a Tree Tagging campaign. Agri-environment schemes will also be able to encourage tagging and new planting where appropriate. A review of incentives, particularly in Entry Level schemes may be needed to encourage retention of young trees.
Expansion: Hedgerows must contain entirely native species including a number of tree-forming species such as ash and oak. Appropriate management must be put in place.
Associated National Priority Species
|
|
|
Species |
Northamptonshire Status |
Management Prescriptions |
Key Sites |
|
Dormouse |
Rare |
Survey hedgerows around dormouse woodlands. Actively manage hazel coppice within hedgerows. |
Unknown |
|
Eurasian tree sparrow |
Breeding |
Sensitive management of hedgerows and retention of dead trees. |
Summer Leys |
|
White letter hairstreak |
Frequent |
Maintain Elm where present. |
Unknown |
Targets
|
Target Code |
Target Type |
Target Description |
Target Units |
Northants Baseline Resource |
Target |
By |
Unit Cost £ |
Total Cost £ |
|
NOR_HDG_T1 |
Maintain Extent |
Maintain the current extent of hedgerows (no net loss). |
Kilometers |
13,000 |
No net loss |
2015 |
200/km/yr |
2.6 million/yr |
|
NOR_HDG_T2 |
Restoration |
Restore appropriate management to 50% (535 km) of hedgerows not currently under agri-environment schemes by 2015. |
Kilometers |
11,930 |
12,465 |
2015 |
8000/km |
4.28 million initial |
|
NOR_HDG_T3 |
Achieving Condition |
Increase the number of new young hedgerow trees by 800 by 2015 (equal to rejuvenating or planting 40 km of hedgerow). |
Number of trees |
0 |
800 |
2015 |
4.50/tree |
3,600 |
|
NOR_HDG_T4 |
Expansion |
Increase the extent of species-rich hedgerows by 40 km by 2015. New hedgerows to include hedgerow trees. |
Kilometers |
0 |
40 |
2015 |
5,300/km |
212,000 initial |
Actions
|
Action Code |
Action Description |
Lead Partner |
Support Partner(s) |
Related Target |
|
NOR_HDG_FI_A1 |
Through section 106 agreements/new developments ensure that all species-rich hedgerows are maintained and 40 km newly created. |
Developers, Local Authorities |
The Wildlife Trust, Natural England |
NOR_HDG_T1 & T3 |
|
NOR_HDG_CA_A2 |
Identify hedgerows which are currently over-managed or in poor condition in the target areas of the Nene Valley, Rockingham Forest and Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge and provide maintenance and enhancement advice to landowners |
The Wildlife Trust |
Natural England |
NOR_HDG_T2 |
|
NOR_HDG_HC_A3 |
Restore 535 km of hedgerows through the inclusion of appropriate prescriptions in Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements for the management and enhanced management of hedgerows (ELS options EB2 and EB3) |
Natural England |
FWAG, RNRP |
NOR_HDG_T2 |
|
NOR_HDG_HC_A4 |
Plant new hedgerow tree species, appropriate to the locality. The priority should be for reinstating landscape boundary features |
The Wildlife Trust |
NOR_HDG_T3 |