Hedge Laying Styles

This is a list of some of the styles of Hedge Laying that have been used in the past to manage hedgerows. If you come across a style that isn't mentioned here, please do drop me a line with a description (and a photo if possible) and I will include it for others to benefit.

Cheshire

Stakes vertical 3ft apart and 3 inches behind line of hedge. No top binding is used, but instead, the pleachers are tied to the tops of the nearest stake. The pleachers are woven between the stakes to an extent. The brush is cut off 8 - 10 inches behind the line of stakes. Finished height approximately 3.5ft.

Derbyshire

Stakes are more commonly square cross section sawn timber, placed behind the line of the roots. No top binding is used, just the pleachers themselves are woven in between the stakes. Finished height approximately 4ft.

Dorset

Pleachers (stems) laid flat to alternate sides of the hedge centreline to form a wide (3 to 4ft) finished structure. Pleachers are held in place with vertical, crooked stakes down the centreline of the hedge. Finished height approximately 2ft on top of 3ft bank.

Midland

Stakes vertical and slightly behind the hedge base line. A strong top binding using several lengths of thin stem material (usually hazel) is used to stablise the structure. Finished height approximately 4ft.

Somerset

A staggered, double row of stakes, one either side of the centreline of the hedge. No top binding is used. Pleachers generally laid between the rows of stakes, with the closest pleacher being woven around the outside of the stake to bind it into the overall structure. Finished height approximately 3.5ft.

Staffordshire

Stakes vertical, but pretty much in line with the root system of the hedgerow plants. No top binding is used, but instead, the top most stems of the laid pleachers are woven around the stems. Finished height approximately 3.5ft.

Worcestershire

Similar to Midland style only the stakes are closer to the line of the hedge and the top binding is usually just a pair of twisted stems. Finished height approximately 3.5ft.

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