Hedging for Wildlife

Ben from East Devon District Council Wildlife Rangers kindly ran a hedge laying workshop  training day for  Friends of the Byes volunteers. A particularly sad looking hedge in the Byes at the bottom of Water Lane was the focus of the activity. Planted around 10 years ago and left unmanaged it was thin full of gaps and unable to provide a safe haven for wildlife which is key in the well used Byes.

Laid hedges whilst looking drastic when first cut are recognised to provide the best hedge environment for wildlife. The  hedge stems are cut leaving 20% attached and are laid and interwoven to form a dense low hedge that will throw up new shoots and provide a dense hedge capable of supporting a rich and diverse wildlife habitat. Additional hedge planting will take place to thicken any gaps.