Database

Protect hedges against root damage.

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Open landscape	Living environment	Hedgerow restoration

Open landscape buffer strips will be established and maintained to maintain biodiversity and ecological connectivity. The buffer strips will also protect other ecosystems from pesticides and chemically synthesised mineral fertilisers used on agricultural land. The recommended width of the Open landscape buffer strips is an average of 5 metres, with an optimum of 1-10 metres.

Description of the action

Protect hedge roots from damage by creating buffer strips (at least 2 meters wide).

Why?

Root damage can be caused by mechanical injuries, drainage, and rot. Roots can be protected with sufficiently wide buffer strips that cover the entire area under the tree canopy or extend beyond the canopy height.