How to Lay a Hedge

In this film by veteran filmaker Quentin Clark, we meet Mike Saynor, an expert in the British countryside. Mike and his team of volunteers show us the process for hedgelaying and how it creates vital habitat shelter to wildlife as well as improving the hedge itself. Once completed it needs no additional fencing, and will remain impenetrable year-round.

[shannonroysden]

Thank you for this information! I love that the group did it together and looked so happy!

[nigelwylie]

Lovely work. The more hedges we restore like this, the more nesting sites there will be for our native species. Win win.

[stephenrice]

I've done hedge laying but it was 50 odd years ago, so this has been saved . Good stuff

[LitoGeorge]

I love this. A living fence, for as long as someone doesnt destroy it. I can assure you that cows have fun with fences and have no issue with testing their stoutness. I longed to put in living fences. One day, again.

[johnwhitehead]

What a fantastic video. Please keep up the excellent work to maintain our natural environment.

[trking]

Thanks for showing in such detail which bits are important & which can go. That in itself provides absolutely invaluable information.

[nlewin]

Lovely, simple instructions. Thank you.

[nvous]

Great video! Everything I hope to need to know in order to attempt a little patch in our garden. Bite size and like listening to a story ❤

[LaidBackHomesteader]

I'm going to attempt laying a hedge on my homestead, in Northern Ireland, this Autumn. Never knew what is was until I seen a laid hedge at a canal in Stock-on-Trent 3 years ago. I told myself i'd have to try that some day! . All advice on how to go about it is welcome

[fergyful]

What a great and informative video. Thanks for posting it.

[derrickhale]

Some good material in this video. But - when working on slope lay uphill - which means progressing down hill. Maybe there was some confusion here? There is a myth that hedges laid downhill will not grow as sap can only travel upwards but ths is not true. However, a hedge laid downhill will be hard to build to a height, tight enough and will look very flat. Tools shown were not sharp enough an dcutting not "clean" as a result. An explanation is needed regarding why we cut as we do to promote new growth from the stool, at the correct height and how this rejuvenates the hedge, as well cutting to keep the pleach (laid stem) alive.

[ryelor]

Looks interesting. I've never seen this done on this side of the Atlantic. Any good tree variety?

[johnwright]

Interesting that you lay the hedge downhill. Most hedgelayers lay them uphill. Is there any reason for downhill laying?

[justindoan]

"On sloping ground, always work down the slope." Which direction should the top of the tree/plant be laid: uphill or downhill?

[paulmatthews]

The pleachers on this are poorly cut, cuts should be smooth with no ragged edges

[bonniehyden]

Why do we not know how to do this anymore? ... especially in America??

[cosmoloveswanda]

I want to try this with vitex (chasteberry). I like the bees and butterflies.