Update on Hedge Restoration at Long Meadow
In the South Cambs Local Plan the Park Lane hedge is recognised as an “important countryside frontage” along with the avenue of majestic horse chestnut trees behind. Since HIGS took over management of Long Meadow in June 2021 we have been undertaking a series of actions to improve the hedge which had deteriorated through neglect.
In December 2023 we received an award from the Postcode Places Trust and were able to start on a long term project to reinvigorate or replace hedge plants to create a wildlife friendly thick mixed hedge. You can read about our original plans and the exciting award here.
How have things progressed?
In March 2024 a contractor cut the entire hedge on the southern boundary of Long Meadow where it abuts Park Lane, bringing it to a manageable height of 2.5m. In October we cleared the most deteriorated section of the hedge (a 30m length) removing the dead hedge plants and clearing the few remaining live hedge plants of their smothering of brambles, ivy and bindweed. To secure the boundary we also installed a post and wire fence.
Then in December families joined us to plant dozens of ‘whips’ – one year old bare root saplings – of 10 native species chosen for their potential for wildlife. In the early spring this year we laid out a new entrance route and planted even more whips along this section, effectively making a wider hedge which will screen the new access and associated timber fence, and providing a more biodiverse boundary along Park Lane.
Since April our volunteers have tended the whips with such care that we have barely lost any despite the long hot summer. In fact, all the watering and weeding has given the whips an excellent start and already one can see a thick bushy hedge in the making. But it will take time!
We have learnt a lot from restoring this first section. The work involved, even for just 30m, is very considerable and we were right to anticipate that restoring the whole hedge length would be a long term venture!
What comes next?
We have identified another section (again approximately 30m) where the old hedge has largely been overwhelmed by brambles, ivy etc and where similar treatment is required. We hope to carry out the restoration of this length this autumn/winter.
We plan to start by installing the post and wire fencing early in September as this allows for safe working off the cycle path. Removing the ivy and brambles and clearing the ground will be a staged process undertaken in September and October. We need to order our whips in the autumn – then, if the weather allows (planting should avoid freezing conditions), we hope to have another ‘family planting day’ along the lines of the successful one held in December 2024.
This section is more shaded so the mix of plants selected will be slightly different from our first section; but we are still aiming for about 10 native species.
Of course, we cannot neglect the recently planted saplings in our first section so there will be a continuing need for volunteers to care for these as well, although they should require less work as they settle in. On top of weeding they will require some pruning to ensure that they develop a strong bushy form.
Can you help?
The Park Lane hedge restoration is a very rewarding long term project to play a part in. We are always looking for volunteers to help, and this project offers plenty of opportunities to get involved. We will be advertising dates and times of work parties on our website Events Calendar. Some will be for the clearance, preparation and planting where you can just come along; but we are also keen to have people who can come regularly to water and weed new plants over the spring and summer periods. Given the vagaries of the British weather it is important to have a group of volunteers, some of whom can always respond at a few days notice whenever the need might arise!
To find out more, express interest in helping, or ask a question please email sitemanagers@higreenspaces.org.
