Database

Maintain hedges in the open countryside

Habitat	Function	Type of work
Open space	Living environment	Hedge 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 space buffer strips is an average of 5 metres, with an optimum of 1-10 metres.

Description of the action

Manage hedges in open countryside by gradually pruning them. Make sure the hedges are of different ages and structures. If there are dead or damaged trees in the hedge, prune their crowns and avoid cutting them down completely. Avoid pruning hedges during the bird nesting season (March to September).

Why?

Hacks offer the opportunity to connect different natural ecosystems. They provide nesting and sheltering sites for many species of animals and birds, as well as a food base. Grass strips along hedgerows provide habitats for flowers and herbaceous plants. Gradual pruning ensures that each year a part of the hedge remains in flower and bearing fruit. Some hedgerow plants produce flower buds during the second year of growth, so hedge pruning can be spread over several years. It is important to maintain a diverse structure and age to provide habitats for different species.

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