October 2024
Angling Spring Farm, Great Missenden, a 186 metre maiden hedge of hawthorn, hazel, hornbeam, crab apple, rowan, apple trees, alder trees and hazelnut trees. The apple trees were chosen because the sheep love eating them. A generously planted double staggered row maiden hedge of good height and perfect to lay using live stakes saving both time and the customer about £750 for stakes and binders. A public footpath ran close to the far side of the hedge and the hedge blocked the view from the footpath side. This made a stunning laid hedge, much commented on by the many passers-by and the client was very pleased too.
View from end of hedge before...
..further up it is more obviously gappy at the base...
...view from end of completed hedge. Laying the hedge has opened up fine views in all directions.
View from inside of hedge before...
...and after. The laid hedge is currently obscured by the excess brush on the inside of the field.
View from start of hedge work underway...
...and looking back towards the start.
This early in the season, hedges are largely obscured by leaves, but the base of the hedge is dense and supported on both sides by live stakes on both sides so very strong and secure as can be seen here.
When the hedge is complete the live stakes are trimmed to height and hardly show - the newly cut top of one can be seen here on the left
Looking down the hedge from the inside...
...and looking up the hedge from the outside. A walker at the top right can now see across into the field on the left for perhaps the very first time!
View from far side of the hedge where the wire was left undisturbed...
...and looking up the hedge towards the start.The hedge is now very dense and solid
The wire on the inside of the hedge was taken off to provide access to lay the hedge. The client wanted the wire back on as soon as possible, replacing any rotted posts as necessary, so they could get their sheep back in the field to strip the leaves from the cut brush making easier to chip it into the base of the hedge.
Laying the hedge has transformed the landscape and opened up previously hidden vistas
Looking down the hedge towards Great Missenden
The hedge from a distance with plenty of trees left to grow on to maturity
It's a rare treat to finish a hedge in time to photograph it as the sun sets!