Threats

Since 1945 there has been a drastic loss of hedgerows through removal and neglect throughout the UK. Removal is now a much less significant threat, however neglect of hedgerows is becoming an increasingly important factor.

Neglect (no cutting, coppicing or laying)

• Neglect leading to hedgerows changing into lines of trees and the development of gaps. This reflects the modern high labour costs and the lack of traditional skills.
  
  
• Poor laying and coppicing in some instances may be more damaging than none at all.
  
  
• Invasive weed species such as (elder/clematis) can take over some hedges. This may make management more difficult (requiring manual intervention) and in the long-term make management unviable resulting in neglect.
  
  
• Hedges conveyed jointly to domestic householders on new housing developments can lead to difficulties over responsibility for management and the understanding of the need for management and retention.

Inappropriate management

• Too frequent cutting can damage hedges and lead to the development of gaps and changes in species composition. Flailing, for example, can damage hedgerow trees and, if used on older growth, can weaken hedges and make them prone to disease.
  
  
• Since most trees and shrubs in hedges only produce flowers, nuts and berries on the previous years growth, cutting hedges every year removes this valuable resource and is therefore bad for wildlife. Cutting before January or February removes this resource for birds and mammals.
  
  
• Mechanical erosion/overcutting of hedge base through cultivation can expose roots and leave the hedge open to disease. This is especially a problem in arable fields converted from pasture where the hedge roots have not adapted to cultivation.
  
  
• Use of inappropriate planting stock, such as species which are not of local provenance, may reduce the local character of hedges.
  
  
• The dumping of materials in hedgerow bases, such as chippings and grass cuttings could have a damaging effect on the ground flora associated with many species rich and ancient hedgerows.

Loss of hedgerow trees

• Surveys show that nationwide hedgerow tree numbers are declining and that there is a shortage of younger age classes. There is a need for continual new planting to counter loss through senescence. There is generally no replanting of standard trees, or singling out saplings to grow on, currently occurring, they are not adequately covered by farm management plans. Old trees also provide an important habitat for invertebrates. Dutch Elm Disease has been a significant factor in the loss of many hedgerow trees.

Pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser applications

• The use of pesticides and fertilisers right up to the base of hedgerows leads to nutrient enrichment and reduces species diversity. More widespread use of margins and headlands would reduce this problem.

High stocking rates

High stocking rates particularly of sheep, lead to hedgerow damage and the subsequent need to fence fields. The presence of fences reduces the agricultural necessity for hedge maintenance and so hastens their decline.

Removal

For agriculture: If a hedge is not classed as ‘important’ under the Hedgerows Regulations it can be removed for agricultural purposes.

Where a hedgerow is removed to enable the implementation of a detailed planning consent, the normal hedgerow regulations procedure does not apply. Local Planning Authorities should ensure that the character and quality of hedgerows are taken into account as a material consideration of such applications.

Action Plan Objectives

• To gain a better understanding of Gloucestershire’s resource of species rich and ancient hedges
  
  
• To maintain existing species rich and ancient hedges
  
  
• To enhance and restore degraded species rich and ancient hedges
  
• To enhance links between existing species rich and ancient hedges and between other priority habitats, through targeted planting
  
  
• Maintain overall numbers of hedgerows trees within each district at at least current levels through ensuring a balanced age structure
  
  
• To raise awareness and understanding of the biodiversity value of species rich and ancient hedges.

Action Plan Targets

• Gloucestershire's hedgerows surveyed by 2005
  
  
• Gloucestershire's hedgerows surveyed by 2005
  
  
• Achieve the favourable management of 25% of species rich and ancient hedges by the year 2005, and 50% by 2010.
  
  
• 25 km of new hedgerows by 2010, (plantings both through and outside of various grant schemes available)

Current Action

{Current action}

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

Progress