Volunteers have been busy hedge laying in Yate Common to create new habitats for wildlife.
The council has been working with CPRE to identify hedges running along footpaths and cycleways so the public enjoy enjoy the benefits.
We also have an ambitious tree planting programme https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/tree-planting-programme/
So the idea of hedge laying is to create a more niche habitat, which has benefits different to a woodland. If these trees were just left and not laid they’d grow up to be tall trees, which has loads of benefits bit hedgerows also have benefits,
And as they’re a more unique habitat its’ great to create more of them. Hedgerows are great for loads of animals – nesting birds, dormice use them to travel, hedgehogs use them as a base to make their nest.
We cut the tree at the base and then we lay it down, and then it will resprout from the dormant buds that are laying along the top surface, and then it will also resprout from the base, where you’ve cut it. This will make the hedge grow nice and dense,
And where all the dormant buds are flowering there will be more food for pollinators and more birds will be able use the hedge for food and also nesting. We worked n this site in Yate Common last year. Overall we’ve probably done almost 200 metres of
Hedge laying along this stretch, which is along the cycle path. We’ve been working closely with South Gloucestershire Council to locate hedgerows that would be best suited for hedge laying. We’re trying to pick ones that are along public
Footpaths or cycle paths so everyone can see them and enjoy the benefits. It also allows more light to come into this cycle path, which makes it feel a bit safer.