Hedgelaying - The Isle of Wight Style
This weekend the Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition takes place at Kings Manor, Afton. The laying of hedges in England to form a stock proof barrier has been practiced for hundreds of years and over the centuries each region has developed their own variation following the native hedge varieties and terrain.
The laying of a hedge not only forms a livestock-proof barrier but aids the rejuvenation of existing hedgerows, encouraging them to put on new growth and help improve their overall structure and strength. As a bi-product wildlife diversity is increased and the landscape improved.
The Isle of Wight style looks untidy but is an effective stockproof barrier and is extremely quick and easy to lay successfully. Pleachers (main growths) are simply laid one on top of the other, usually in alternating directions, with little of the brash (side shoots) removed. These are then pegged down with crooked hazel stakes (similar to thatching spars).
Typical features are
- Informal and very wide hedgerow
- No binding, stakes at irregular intervals on alternate sides of the hedge
- Crooked hazel stakes made from rejected wands
More information on Isle of Wight hedgelaying and the annual hedgelaying competition are available from the Isle of Wight Hedgerow group – www.iwhg.org