Hedge-laying in Sussex gardens
I am a retired professional, living in Lewes, with a passion for hedges. I am trained in hedge laying and I am a member of the South of England Hedge Laying Society and the editor of their newsletter. Although I lay farm hedges, usually in association with the society, I am interested in applying hedging skills to gardens and industrial units. I don't slavishly apply farm hedge-laying requirements to garden hedges, believing that each garden hedge is different and that different solutions are required.
​
​
The pics show the sort of improvement that can be made in a small garden by someone with hedgelaying skills. A privet hedge that was overgrown and reaching to about where you can see the bin in the first photo. Straightforward pruning would have left large holes but 'pleaching' some of the branches to lie nearly horizontal without reducing the overall height resulted in a dense but relatively thin hedge, which does not take up too much room.
the second pic is the hedge a month later after a trim. There are now small bushes planted in front of it.
Hedges can have a number of functions:
To add to the aesthetic appeal of a garden
To act as a screen or windbreak,
To act as a stock (or people) barrier,
To act as an important resource for wildlife. This last function is becoming increasingly important as other wildlife areas disappear.
So If:
You could consider replacing a broken-down fence with a hedge.
Have a neglected strip at the bottom of your garden, which could be made wildlife friendly as well as attractive.
You wish to put in a hedge-style border.
Or have a hedge, which is looking a bit tired.
Or a 4x4 goes through your hedge (see repair page)
Or anything else hedge-wise.
Contact me (Ian) via the link
Or give me a ring on 07970856693 or e-mail at hedger@mail.com