Paul Blissett Hedgelaying

30 years hedging in Bucks, Beds & Herts
Over 11 miles of hedge laid since 2000
The first and largest hedgelaying website

December 2017

53 yards mixed maiden hedge, South of England, Weedon

The customer had planted this hedge themselves and had patiently waited a couple of years after first contacting me until it was substantial enough to lay

Looking towards start of hedge before ...
 

.... during ...
 

... and after
 

A nice straight run of stakes and binders
 

View from end of hedge on completion
 

One large hawthorn pre-dated the rest of the hedge
 

Looking towards end of hedge
 

Close-up of laid hedge
 

Another close up of this hedge
 

Regrowth on 3rd July. There was a lot of privet in this hedge which has regrown very rapidly.
 

Regrowth looking to end of hedge, 3rd July
 

Predominantly hawthorn regrowth
 

Regrowth from the large old hawthorn stump near the end of the hedge
 


130 yards mixed maiden hedge laid using live stakes, Westbury

A lovely hedge to lay, planted as a double staggered row with plants for the most part closely spaced. It would have been near-perfect had it not been block planted which creates weak points where less substantial species such as dogwood and guelder rose are grouped together.

As there was so much material to work with, the hedge was already fenced on both sides and the client wanted the hedge to be as tall as possible, I laid the hedge using live stakes. This was faster, cheaper and allowed the end result to be taller than using dead stakes and binders.

 

Block planting. The plants in the centre with the red berries are guelder rose and although they have grown well here are not very sturdy in a hedge.
 

Block planting. In the centre is another potential weak point - a block of dogwood. Again, it has done well here but it is a very soft wood lacking strength.
The guelder rose in the previous image is three quarters of the way along.
 

Far side of hedge from end, before ...
 

... and after. Laying the hedge has opened up a fine view in both directions.
 

... the same view 18 months later
 

View from end of hedge before ...
 

... and after. To the right is excess material cut out of the hedge.
 

... the same view 18 months later
 

Start of hedge, before ...
 

Start of hedge, work underway
 

... the same view 18 months later
 

Start of hedge, making progress and yes, that's snow.
 

Start of hedge, from far side
 

Start of hedge from far side, before ...
 

... and with work underway ...
 

... and with about half the hedge laid
 

Far side of hedge looking towards end of hedge, before ...
 

 ... and now the ash tree in the hedge has also been revealed
 

... with the oak tree beyond now visible ...
 

... the same view 18 months later
 

Nothing unusual about seeing sheep by a hedge ...
 

... but a young swan, not in the slightest bothered by the sound of a chainsaw?
It had landed in the wrong field and was guided, somewhat reluctantly, back towards its home on a lake close by
 

Laying the hedge revealed this fine oak tree in the field behind ...
 

... another view of this lovely oak
 

Two live stakes are visible in this image.
They are cut off to the required height once the hedge has been laid and generally alternate either side of the hedge to contain it
 

Hedgelayers decide where to leave trees as they work.
Hedgerow trees are attractive features and provide a more varied habitat.
This goat willow was completely hidden until the hedge was laid.