December 2000
77 yards hawthorn, blackthorn and crab apple, Midland Style, Holmwood First School, Milton Keynes.
Very overgrown hedge in the grounds of this Milton Keynes School
Mountains of brush was cut out of this hedge to prepare it for laying and it was all done by hand
A massive hedge, as wide as it was tall, everything was done by hand,
before...
... and after, Midland style. This really is the same hedge!
Looking to end of hedge before ...
... and after
Completed section in distance and front sided up ready for laying in foreground
Detail of completed hedge
December 2000. Soulbury Millennium Green. Hand trimming ash hedge laid previous season
I laid this ash hedge in April 2000 and this is how much it had grown by December the same year.
This is one reason why you don't come across many ash hedges, that and its reluctance to put out side shoots to create a bushy hedge
Looking from the start before ...
... and after
Newly hand-trimmed hedge detail
77 yards hawthorn, elm, field maple, Midland style, Goosey Cottage, Dinton, Bucks.
The boundaries of this property needed a bit of TLC and there were several layable sections
Main section of hedge before ...
... and after
Close up of a second section of hedge
Great Billington, Beds. 89 yards plum hedge, South of England, Great Billington. Beds
This hedge had become very tall and difficult to manage and was also gappy at the bottom making it ideal for laying
This plum hedge has suckered to cover whole verge, before ...
... and after, revealing plum trees from old orchard
It's easier and safer to hammer the stakes home once the hedge has been bound
Plum hedge detail
27 yards Midland Style hawthorn, Nursery Road, Nazeing, Essex
As well as tidying up the hedge and simplifying future management, laying also gave a fine view of the lake beyond
Before ...
... and detail, work in progress
This was the view of the lake beyond once the hedge had been laid!