Introduction

There is no end point for this plan. It should be reviewed every two years starting in May 2025.

Overall vision for the Nature Reserve hedges

Whilst the highest priority should as far as possible be to facilitate wildlife this should not be at the expense of the public’s safe enjoyment of wildlife and the landscape. Hedges should be secure and include as much diversity as possible in terms of both species’ composition and habitat (especially height and width).

Current overall situation

The Nature Reserve includes around 5½ kilometres of mainly thorn-based hedge. This includes:

Hedges we inherited as the Nature Reserve expanded. These had been poorly maintained for many years but have now all been laid, gapped up and trimmed.
Hedges planted by the contractors in 2012-13. We have begun to lay these, to conclude in 2023-24.
Hedges planted by us since 2023. These are at different stages of development.

I do not include the hedges between the Fauna path and School Fields / Carr House Meadow which have been deemed by the Trustees to be not our responsibility other than trimming back on the path side.

Maintenance principles

We follow a cycle starting from either first planting or laying the hedge.
The hedge is trimmed for the first 3 to 5 years to encourage low, dense growth.
The hedge is then trimmed selectively. The detail depends on the location but ideally one third of each hedge should be trimmed each year to allow for flowering and seeding.
As the hedge reaches its intended size it is managed until it is ready for laying (around 8 to 10 years for new hedges, 20 to 40 years for already laid hedges). Management includes leaving alone or trimming according to intended size.

Hedge Record

There are 36 different sections of hedges

The Paddock Hedges

NOTE: The Paddock is part of Cannon Hill Conservation Area so we must abide by its rules regarding tree felling and management.

01. Paddock West

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2014

Action up to now

Debris cleared, elder and sycamore cut back, saplings planted 2014.
Saplings tended since.
Insertion of brash to form dead hedge to keep out dogs.

Taking into consideration

After consultation with Natural England and the Tree Conservation Officer, the FA decided not to fell the mature sycamores lining this hedge.

Long term objective

Given the shade from the sycamore this will never be a thick hedge. Let it develop and see what happens.

What next?

Continue to occasionally tend the saplings. It will be a long, slow job.
Maintain dead hedges and secure fence.

02. Paddock East

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

Historically very neglected.
Some trees taken out by Hanafins who laid some thorn and replanted 2012.
Neglected since and very overgrown with bramble.
Each year we trim back the bramble to the inner fence to stop field invasion.

Taking into consideration

Very inaccessible due to bramble. But now quite thick and dense growth.
Boundary with the Allotments.

Long term objective

A relatively high and thick hedge has developed here although with lots of bramble.

What next?

Leave alone apart from stopping bramble invading field.

03. Paddock South

Length: 50m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

Laid by Hanafins 2012.
Regular trimming since.

Taking into consideration

Fraser requests the western half be trimmed down so he can see the cattle.

Long term objective

A high (4m), thick hedge with wide margins, to stock fence in field, wider on path side.

What next?

Eastern half, leave alone.
Western half, keep trimmed down for Fraser.

Orchard Hedges

04. Orchard “wild area”

The “wild area” is the area alongside the track from the shed. Like the Paddock, it is part of Cannon Hill Conservation Area.

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2017

Action up to now

Laid 2017.
Occasional trimming.
Infilling gap with dead hedge.
Holly planted to fill gap 2023-24.

Taking into consideration

Very shaded by trees.
One section has a big gap.
Keep entrances closed to keep area secure.
Keep track clear.

Long term objective

A thick hedge with wide margin in wild area.

What next?

Leave alone apart from maintaining dead hedge and keeping secure.

05. Orchard/Pads footpath

Length: 300m; Cycle start: 2013

Action up to now

Laid in three sections, 2013-15.
Regular trimming since.

Taking into consideration

Have to keep access clear down the path.
The ‘vista gaps’ opposite the Orchard benches need to be kept low.
Light for the Orchard fruit trees.
Neighbours request to maintain their view.

Long term objective

Treat as two sections:
a) Adjacent to fruit trees and vista gaps. Keep low (1.5 metre) to give light and views.
b) Remaining section. High, thick hedge.
Both thick on the Orchard side.

What next?

Annual trim back of section a) leaving as much as possible on the Orchard side.
Don’t let section b) get too high.

Big Meadow Hedges

06. Big Meadow/Pads footpath

Length: 400m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

Laid and replanted by Hanafins 2012.
Regular trimming since plus some gapping up.
Winter 2021-22 layed.
Winter 2022-23 trimmed and gapped up.

Taking into consideration

NE requirements that hedges be <2metres high around wet grasslands.
Have to keep access clear down the path.
The ‘vista gaps’ opposite the Orchard benches need to be kept low.
Light for the Orchard fruit trees

Long term objective

Treat as two sections:
a) Adjacent to fruit trees and vista gaps. Keep low (1.5 metre) to give light and views.
b) Remaining: 2 metre max.
Both thick on the Meadow side

What next?

For next two years trim top to thicken
Keep path access clear, thicker on field side.
Lower height by fruit trees.
Maintain vista gaps.

07. Big Meadow South

Length: 300m; Cycle start: 2019

Action up to now

2019 – Planted hedge saplings in gaps alongside the Brook.
Trimmed each year.

Taking into consideration

Very wet and overgrown, rather low rate of success for the saplings.

Long term objective

Let’s see what happens.

What next?

Leave alone.

08. Big Meadow East

This is the section that stretches from Ash Tree Corner to the gate.

Length: 30m; Cycle start: n/a

Action up to now

Old hedge with lots of bramble.
High and thick.
Trimmed the invasive bramble as necessary.
A small copse planted Dec 2024 to eventually replace the ash

Taking into consideration

Natural England requirements that hedges be <2metres high around wet grasslands.

Long term objective

Thick hedge.

What next?

Leave alone.

09. Big Meadow East

This is the section from the gate to Big Willow Corner.

Length: 150m; Cycle start: 2019

Action up to now

2019 – From Anna’s Pool to corner, planted as a hedge.
Occasional trimming since.
2023 – Plastic removal Dec 2024.
Hedge planted from gate to Anna’s Pool

Taking into consideration

NE requirements that hedges be <2metres high around wet grasslands.

Long term objective

New sections – thick hedge.

What next?

Trim for a few years yet.

10. Ash Tree Corner

Length: 20m; Cycle start: 2012.

Action up to now

Planted by Hanafins.
Part laid 2017.
Trimmed since Remainder laid 2024.

Taking into consideration

Keep trimmed back to ?gibe? wildflowers some light.

Long term objective

Low hedge.

What next?

Trim as required.

11. Big Meadow/Fauna path

Length: 250m; Cycle start: Autumn 2021

Action up to now

Hedge planted.
Protected by electric fence rather than plastics.
Annual trimming.

Taking into consideration

Natural England requirements that hedges be <2metres high around wet grasslands.

Long term objective

Thick hedge on field side.

What next?

Trim for next two years.

Grammar School Field Hedges

12. Fauna Path/Grammar School Field

This is the western side to School Pond.

Length: 200m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

Cut back and replanted by Hanafins.
Untrimmed except for pruning back bramble invading path margin through fence.
Winter 2024-5: The cattle broke through the School Field side fence in search of fodder and then through the path side fence.
The latter replaced to secure the path but leave cattle access to hedge for shelter.

Taking into consideration

R. Storton’s advice to leave the bramble within the fenced area.

Long term objective

A high (4 m) thick hedge within the fencing with standard trees of hawthorn, holly and one sycamore.

What next?

Leave alone within the fence.
Cut back and dig out bramble along path.

13. Fauna Path/School Pond West

Western side to Ash Tree Corner.

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

Two lines:
a) Hedge laid and replanted by Hanafins.
- Further gapping up 2012 and some trimming since.
b) Willow living fence started 2014 and maintained each winter.

Taking into consideration

Parts are very wet.
Need for bird cover.

Long term objective

Allow line a) hedge to grow as thick as possible within the fenced area.
Willow living fence at 2m.

What next?

a) Leave alone apart from cutting back to walkway fence.
b) Maintain living fence at 2m keeping willow under control.

14. Fauna/School Pond East

Eastern side from Ash Tree Corner to gate.

Length: 50m; Cycle start: circa 2008

Action up to now

Two sections:

a) Thorn hedge planted by R. Loxam before Fauna.

Some supplementary planting by FA for species diversity 2012.
Trimmed by FA each winter until 2017.
Laid 2017.
Occasional trimming

b) Willow living fence planted winter 2017.

Taking into consideration

R Loxam agreed the laying of this section.
The wet section forms a convenient bird watching area.

Long term objective

a) A thick hedge with a gap for bird watching.
b) Willow fence limited to 2m.

What next?

Leave alone apart from the gap.
Maintain willow.

15. Fauna Path/Grammar School Field East

Eastern side from School Pond gate to Gun Range.

Note: This is not a Fairfield Association hedge.

Length: 350m; Cycle start: Circa 2008

Action up to now

Thorn hedge planted by R. Loxam before Fauna.
Some supplementary planting by FA for species diversity 2012.
Trimmed by FA each winter until 2017.
Flailed by R. Loxam Feb 2017 and on occasion since.

Taking into consideration

R. Loxam is responsible for this hedge apart from some trimming on the path side.

Long term objective

None.

What next?

Keep path clear.

Carr House Meadow Hedges

16. Fauna Path/Carr House Meadow

From double gates to the corner.

Length: 50m; Cycle start: Autumn 2021

Action up to now

Planted as a new hedge 2021.
Trimmed since.

Taking into consideration

Keep path clear.

Long term objective

Wide hedge but keep low to maintain view into meadow.

What next?

Trim for next two years.

17. Fauna Path/Carr House Meadow

From the corner to the gate.

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2012

Action up to now

New hedge planted by Hannafins 2012.
Trimmed by FA each year until 2017.
Flailed by R. Loxam, without our permission, Feb 2017, but not since.

Taking into consideration

Agreement with R. Loxam to leave alone.

Long term objective

None.

What next?

Keep path clear.

18. Carr House Meadow/Gun Range

Length: 100m; Cycle start: n/a

Action up to now

A line of hawthorn and bramble.
We have cut/dug out the invasive bramble in the meadow.

Taking into consideration

Need for shade and shelter for cattle.
Concealment of ugly sheds etc in Gun Range

Long term objective

Leave as is.

What next?

Leave alone apart from controlling invasive bramble.

What next?

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2014

Action up to now

Taking into consideration

Long term objective

What next?

Length: 100m; Cycle start: 2014