Ahead of National Hedgerow Week we look at all things farm/land hedge related.

Grants and funding are available for planting and managing hedgerows, including Countryside  Stewardship (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants) & MOREhedges (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/trees-for-landowners-and-farmers/morehedges-application/). See if you can get paid for existing practices.

There are also loads of hedge related events available online:

For example, The Tree Council:

Join the guestlist – Joining the Dots: A Future for our Hedgerow Trees – Zoom, Tue 7 May 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (tickettailor.com)

Join the guestlist – My Hedge and Me: Frontline Perspectives on Hedgerow Management – Zoom, Wed 8 May 2024 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (tickettailor.com)

Join the guestlist – United for Hedge Health: Spotlight on Hawthorn and Box – Zoom, Fri 10 May 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (tickettailor.com)

Join the guestlist – Growing Up – Keeping your trees alive and well over the summer months – Zoom, Tue 25 Jun 2024 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (tickettailor.com)

For more information: About Hedges | National Hedgerow Week 2021 – Talk to the Hedge (hedgelink.org.uk)

Hedgerow regulations will be brought into law to protect farmland wildlife

Regulations will include a 2 metre ‘buffer strip’ from the centre of hedgerows with no cultivation or application of pesticides or fertilisers, and a hedge cutting ban 1 March – 31 August to protect nesting birds. The government will also introduce a streamlined notification process for farmers needing an exemption to cut or trim hedges in August if they are sowing oilseed rape or temporary grass.

For more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protecting-hedgerows-in-england/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response