Hedgelaying

Thursday 11th March 2021

I am in Cirencester at the Rural Innovation Centre for a few days to complete some of the practical course (at last!). Today was hedgelaying. We started with the hedge on the left - not much to work with as there is a very large tree to close to the hedge here that has caused some of the hedge to die. After learning how to pleach we all had to get on with it. One of mine in the middle photo - not bad actually. What I discovered is that it is hard work - not really suprising - I had to use the bill hook like an axe as it is too heavy for one hand. But it all worked out OK. Then lastly we put the binders on the top to make it look neat - picture on the right. Not a bad job - there were 7 of us on the course and we ended up with a good looking hedge if I say so myself. Hedgelaying season is October to mid March (to avoid disturbing wildlife and nests) so this is the last opportunity until much later in the year - which is a shame.