Hedging in the landscape
See also: Financial hedging.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
This article refers hedges as barriers comprising closely-spaced shrubs or trees that demarcate an area of land. However, the term ‘hedge’ or ‘hedging’ can also refer to an investment made to mitigate against the potential price movements of an asset.
A hedge is called a ‘hedgerow’ when it has been established for several years and incorporates larger trees, separating fields from roads and as a boundary between fields. Trees in a hedgerow can reach their full mature heights and it is estimated there are around 1.8 million in the UK.
Hedges are considered important historical elements of the British landscape, as valuable to wildlife as they are to humans. They can also help prevent soil erosion and flooding and can reduce pollution.
[edit] Uses of hedging
Hedging has been used historically to:
- Create enclosure
- Demarcate boundaries
- Protect crops or livestock
- Act as a windbreak
- Provide shade
- Provide privacy
- Provide security
- As a design element
- Provide amusement (when they form mazes or in the form of topiary).
[edit] Historical usage
Hedging was used as far back as Neolithic times (4000 BC – 2000 BC) to enclose land for cereal crops and was used as an element of landscape throughout the medieval age, right through to the 18th and 19th centuries when they were used to enclose heaths and uplands. Throughout these periods, hedges have also been a much-exploited source of firewood. It has been estimated that some hedgerows in the UK, Ireland and Low Countries may be as much as 800 years old.
In making the transition from low intensity to high-intensity farmed land, many hedgerows have been removed, thereby creating larger fields for mechanised farming and easier sowing and harvesting. With the advent of modern agricultural technology, hedgerow removal has been ongoing in the UK since the end of the first world war. This process has slowed in recent years, first, as cheap food imports have reduced the demand on British farming; second, as agricultural policy has thrown the spotlight on the environmental consequences of farming (damage to wildlife, flooding and soil erosion), encouraging hedgerow conservation and replanting.
[edit] Composition
The species used to form hedges are often a random mix although they can also comprise several or just one type. The majority of British hedging comprises hawthorn and blackthorn shrubs (both used to enclose livestock) and hazel, often in combination. Other species that can be used and which can grow to considerable heights include beech, holly, oak, willow and ash.
Hedges may also be used as a formal element of garden design, typically comprising more dense foliage, such as box, yew and privet.
[edit] Planning considerations
A hedge may be the subject of a legal dispute between neighbours if it is tall enough to impinge on one party’s right of light.
As well as a host of other important features, information on existing hedges and trees is normally required as part of an application for outline planning permission.
When contemplating a development, it is important to remember that trees in a hedgerow may be protected by a tree preservation order (TPO), or conservation area designation, but hedges generally are not afforded such protection under the law.
[edit] Important hedgerow
High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Environmental Statement, Glossary, abbreviations and references, published by the Department for Transport in 2022, defines an important hedgerow as: ‘A hedgerow that is at least 30 years old and meets criteria set out in the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (includes both ecological and historic environment criteria).’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Comments
To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above.
Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.
Fascinating summary.