Database

Protect hedges against root damage

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

Protect hedges from root damage by creating buffer strips (at least 2 metres wide).

Why?

Root damage is caused by mechanical damage, desiccation and rot. Roots can be protected by buffer strips wide enough to cover the entire area under the canopy or wider than the height of the canopy.

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