About a month ago I was invited to undertake a hedge-laying job in Fernhurst. The landowner is very enthusiastic about hedgerows and has spent time and money over many years on establishing and maintaining them. The hedgerow in question was 130 metres long on three sides of a paddock, and was one that he had planted about 10 – 12 years ago.

Upon seeing the hedge for the first time I knew that it would be a delight to lay. It had been planted well at the correct spacing, and for the most part was consistently thick with a good height too. The hedge had been established with a mixture of hawthorn, field maple, hazel, spindle, guelder rose, and dog rose. There were one or two sections where it had not done so well, notably in an area that lies very wet, but that is to be expected. Laying the hedge will help it thicken up naturally, and any remaining gaps can be filled with new hedgerow planting.

I eagerly made a start, and in no time the hedge started to take shape.

By the end of the first day I had made considerable progress and had even managed to get the first 5 metres completely finished.

Over the next 7 days I made steady progress. Some sections were quicker to do than others, but the whole hedgerow was an absolute dream to lay. Never too taxing or too much of a struggle, and most of it combining to make a beautiful looking laid hedge.

All too soon, I was approaching the end of the hedge. The final stretch on the north side of the paddock was almost as thick and consistent as the first stretch, and it was a treat to lay. Finally, at about 3.30 pm I was putting the finishing touches to the hedge. I stood back and watched the fading sun illuminating my work and felt an enormous sense of satisfaction. What a wonderful job to complete, and all in the Western Weald – the most beautiful part of the South Downs National Park.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with a landowner who is prepared to invest in his hedgerows and manage them properly. Surely, alongside planting and caring for trees, this is one of the best ways to steward the countryside for the future.