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 and 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. 

We surveyed all the hedges and used this information to produce a plan for their management. Each winter we plan to renovate a section of hedge by removing dead plants and cutting back invasive bracken, bramble and elder. We will then replant the gaps with a mix of native species and the occaional hedgerow tree. Although the renovated sections will look a bit raw they soon start to regrow and ensure that the hedge is healthy once again. 

In a few years, the gaps will close and we can then manage them with an annual cut. We will also lay some sections of hedge to encourage growth at its base and ensure that tall spindly sections become dense once again. 

 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. 

The brash (dead wood etc) removed from hedges is used to make dead-hedges and habitat piles which create wonderful wildlife corridors. These provide shelter and security for a wide range of creatures as they move along or make their homes in the hedgerows. 

Meadow improvements

We want to increase the diversity of flowering species in the meadows so every September since 2023 we have sown 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 the finer grasses and flowers to thrive. We delay cutting the meadows until after the flowers have seeded and then remove the cuttings (as hay or haylage); this reduces the fertility of the soil, which also helps to create the right conditions for flowering plants to flourish.

In 2024 and 2025 we also strimmed circles into the meadows to reduce the thatch, prior to sowing a range of locally gathered, native seeds. We think that reducing the thatch will help germination rates as it will be easier for the seeds to make contact with the soil. 

This year, 2026, we are pleased to see that yellow rattle is becoming established in some areas of the fields and that the grass growth is being supressed there. 

A new pond

This new pond was created in this previously wet corner in 2024/25 by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The water level will vary seasonally, but even a shallow pond is of immense value to wildlife. 

Since 1900 over half of all the ponds in England have been lost, which has had a devastating impact on the wildlife that relies on them. The creation of this pond will provide habitat for a wide range of water-dwelling creatures. It will take a year or two for the pond to settle and start to look established but we hope to see creatures such as dragonflies, amphibians and water beetles gradually arrive. 

We are not adding any plants or creatures to the pond as we want to let nature will find its own way here. 

In March 2025 we saw that frog spawn had arrrived and over the summer a small amount of pond vegetation arrived. In 2026, following some remedial works, we are observing the pond more closely to see what arrives. 

2026 observations:

In July two volunteers conducted a pond-dippping session and we were delighted to see how much life had already moved into this new pond. Findings included smooth newt, mayfly larvae, damselfly and dragonfly nymph, backswimmers and great diving beetle. 

The pond was also studied by an Odonata expert, Michael Howard, to identify dragonflies and damselflies on the wing. He observed Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Darter, Azure Damselfly and Brown Hawker. 

It looks like our pond is already providing a home for a range of water-dwelling creatures. We anticipate that the number of species will increase as the pond develops into a mature fresh-water habitat.

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. In 2024 nine of these boxes were used by blue tits and it appeared that rooks or crows made use of one of the kestrel boxes. The boxes were monitored again in 2025, and again blue tits were the most common occupants. 

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. The hedge is now growing strongly, depsite the hot, dry summer of 2025. 

Tree planting

In the winter of 2023/24 Volunteers planted two field corners with a total of 130 young saplings. We also planted 480 saplings along our eastern boundary - a map dated 1882 shows there was previously a small wood here.  In December 2024 volunteers added a further 250 trees to this woodland edge. 

The species chosen were those typically found in the National Landscape (formerly AONB) of South Shropshire, including blackthorn, hawthorn, rowan, dogwood, field maple, wild cherry, oak, small-leaved lime and crab apple.

Sadly, a number of the trees planted in 2024 died during the hot, dry summer  of 2025 but these were replaced during the winter of 2025/2026. 

This summer, 2026, has been brutal for the young trees. We know that we will have lost many of the whips to the heat and drought. Once we have finally had some rain we will assess the damage and decide what to do next...