The wonders of a ‘living’ dead hedge
From bonfires to biodiversity
Our specialist hedgelaying volunteers work through autumn and winter every year to lay new hedges, and restore and maintain the miles of hedgrows that run through the 500+ hectares of land in our care. Last year alone, the two volunteer teams restored 472 meters of hedging in our green spaces around Little Wittenham.
At Earth Trust, we’re passionate about sustainable land management and traditional conservation practices, like hedgelaying, inevitably produce a wealth of dead wood.
In the past, the common solution was a bonfire – a dramatic, but ultimately wasteful, disposal method. Today, we’re embracing more environmentally friendly approaches, and one of our favourites is the humble dead hedge. Martin Barrett, one of our expert volunteers explains more…
What exactly is a dead hedge?
A dead hedge is essentially a fence or barrier constructed from naturally fallen or pruned branches and other woody debris. It’s a simple, yet incredibly effective way to repurpose materials and create a valuable habitat for wildlife.
And creating one is pretty straightforward; you just need a reasonable amount of dead wood, ideally in a variety of sizes.
The first step is then to drive two rows of sturdy stakes into the ground, marking the desired line of the hedge – the distance between the rows will determine its width.
Once this is ready, we begin layering up the space between the stakes with the collected dead material, with larger pieces at the base for stability and filling in the gaps with smaller branches and twigs.
For added strength and a more aesthetically pleasing finish, we weave long, flexible branches, usually of hazel, between the stakes – a technique we use with new hedges too that helps to bind the materials together.
To ensure it has a long life, this type of hedge, as with every other, does need ongoing maintenance. As the material decomposes, it’s important to add more dead wood each year to maintain its structure and we revist those we’ve built in the following winter season to check on its progress and to keep it topped up.
The versatility of dead hedges
Dead hedges are more than just a fence, they can be used for a variety of purposes, for instance helping to clearly define pathways, guiding visitors through a woodland. They can form the back of rustic seating areas, blending into the natural environment and providing natural play spaces for children, encouraging exploration and interaction with nature.
They are also useful for creating mini microclimates as they can act as effective windbreaks, protecting delicate plants and creating sheltered zones, as well as in waterways where they can help to reduce the flow of water.
Dead hedging backdrop with woodland seating
A dead hedge forming a stream moat
A haven for wildlife
Beyond their practical uses, dead hedges are also a vital resource for wildlife, providing biodiversity benefits on multiple levels.
Shelter and nesting sites: Dead hedges offer crucial shelter for a wide range of creatures, from insects and amphibians to small mammals and birds. They create ideal nesting sites for species like wrens and robins, and feeding perches for birds of prey including owls.
Food source: Decomposing wood provides a rich food source for invertebrates, which in turn attract larger predators.
Space for fungi and lichens: The damp, sheltered environment of a dead hedge is perfect for the growth of fungi and lichens, adding to the ecology of a woodland or grassland setting.
Overwintering habitat: Many insects and small animals will use a dead hedge to overwinter, providing a safe and sheltered space during the winter months.
Your next garden project!
Ready to make a positive impact on your local ecosystem?
Creating a dead hedge in your own garden is a fantastic way to support wildlife and embrace sustainable gardening practices. And it’s easy to do with Martin’s simple steps to success.
5 steps to building your own dead hedge
- Gather together foraged fallen branches and pruned garden material
- Choose a suitable location and set your two rows of stakes into the ground
- Fill the gap in between with your collected material with larger pieces at the base for stability and smaller branches and twigs in the middle
- Weave in long, flexible branches along the top, between the stakes
- Sit back and enjoy the natural beauty it adds to your garden, and watch for the wildlife it attracts!
Martin says:
“For smaller gardens or to make a more modest habitat, you can create small dead hedge sections, or even a dead hedge pile, where you simply pile the wood in a designated area. Whichever option you choose, each one is highly beneficial to wildlife.”
