Hedgerow restoration

We have about 1.8 kilometres (1.1 miles) of hedgerows in and around High Leasowes, all of which are shown on the 1840 tithe map so are at least 180 years old, although we believe many of the hedges to be considerably older than this. Remarkably we haven’t lost any of the hedges since the tithe map was drawn up and we have a responsibility to ensure that these hedges are in good condition and will thrive for many more years. 

In the winter of 2023/24 we chose a section of hedgerow to restore. A number of work parties removed barbed wire, elder and bramble from some dead sections of the hedge. The gaps were then planted with a mix of native species and two hedgerow trees of crab apple and field maple. In a few years, the gaps will close and we can then manage this hedge with an annual cut. 

Each year we will work on a section of hedgerow in this way to make sure that the ‘dead’ parts of the hedges are replanted.  All the hedges will be managed so that they become larger and more dense, which will add to their value for the wildlife that lives in and feeds on the hedgerow plants. 

In the winter of 2024/25 we are renovating a section of hedgerow alongside Watling Street. 

Pond

A new pond will shortly be created in Willow Leyes. This will provide habitat for water-dwelling creatures and plants as part of our plan to create a mosaic of different habitats for different species. The photo shows the site for the pond.

Meadow improvements

We want to increase the diversity of flowering species in the meadows so in 2023 and 2024 we sowed yellow rattle across the fields. This plant, known as the ‘meadow maker’ takes its energy from the roots of nearby grasses, thereby reducing their vigour which helps to create better conditions for flowering plants. Not cutting the meadows until after the flowers have seeded and then removing the cuttings (as hay or haylage) reduces the fertility of the soil, which also helps to create the right conditions for flowering plants to flourish.

Bird boxes

In February 2024 volunteers installed 32 bird boxes for small birds around High Leasowes and 2 kestrel boxes situated high up on oak trees. This year nine of these boxes were used by blue tits and it appeared that rooks or crows made use of one of the kestrel boxes.

A new hedge

In 2023 CPRE Shropshire and volunteers helped us to plant a new 65 metre long hedgerow to subdivide our largest field. The species chosen for the new hedge were hawthorn, dogwood, guelder rose, spindle berry and hazel. Three trees were also planted to grow into hedgerow trees, these are field maple, sessile oak and hornbeam. 

Tree planting

In the winter of 2023/24 Volunteers planted two field corners with a total of 130 young saplings and a further 480 saplings along our eastern boundary - a map dated 1882 shows there previously was a small wood here. The species chosen were those typically found in the National Landscape (formerly AONB) of South Shropshire and comprise blackthorn, hawthorn, rowan, dogwood, field maple, wild cherry, sessile oak, English oak, small-leaved lime, dog rose, hazel, elder, silver birch and crab apple.