Due to COVID-19 and lockdowns, this is a year later than planned however amazing progress has been made so far at the three partner sites visited in November, meaning we are well on the way to our aim of 6.5km of hedgerow created or restored within the Surrey Hills AONB and North Downs.
Our monthly U25s hedge laying days have kicked off, with one Sunday a month dedicated to hedge laying at Chantries Wood. These sessions are attended by an experienced hedge layer and trained Surrey Wildlife Trust staff and aim to inspire and engage the next generation of conservationists and hedge layers. They are also really good fun and open to anyone aged 13 to 25.
Hedge laying has also taken place at Clandon Wood Natural Burial Ground and Nature Reserve this month, where we have been laying our first stretch at the top of the car park. Hedge laying helps to create a denser, thicker and healthier hedge. It involves partially cutting the main stem of a hedge plant, bending it over to the ground and then holding it in place with stakes and binders. There are many different traditional styles of hedge laying which have evolved across the country. If managed well, a hedge should only ever have to be laid once!
We have been at West Horsley Place this month planting a new stretch of hedgerow which will provide habitat connectivity to existing hedgerow and woodland on site. Over the four sessions here we have planted around 550m of native hedgerow species, including hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose, hazel and crab apple. When this matures it will provide a multi-layered habitat for a wide array of wildlife from butterflies to hedgehogs, as well as reducing flooding, storing carbon and containing livestock.
Our hedgerow heritage volunteer days run every Thursday, where you can take part in either hedge laying or hedge planting, and one Sunday per month for U25s hedge laying.
For up-to-date news on the projects and for general hedgerow information please visit and follow our Instagram page @hedgerow_heritage