A new hedgerow!

Redland Green’s field maple hedge, which runs along the palisade fence separating the Metford Road allotments from Redland Green was laid in the traditional North Somerset style in 2019 by RGCG, funded by RCAS. Up until then, it had been managed by the council, and was flail-cut every couple of years. This had resulted in a hedge full of gaps, both unattractive and of minimal wildlife value.

Laying a hedge should create valuable new habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals and birds. However, hedges with a diversity of species (such as the hedge planted by RGCG on the St Oswald’s Rd side of the green in 2011-12 and laid in winter 2018) are ecologically more beneficial than those with only one species such as this one.

Running parallel to the palisade fence in the allotments there’s a narrow strip of unmanaged land of over 14 metres length, which has been full of brambles and bindweed. This strip is just wide enough to accommodate another hedge. Planting a new hedge there not only adds to the width of the field maple hedge, offering more sanctuary to small creatures, but also affords the opportunity to plant a richer mix of traditional hedgerow species.

This possibility became a reality when Eve Rees and Emily Roberts asked if, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh award, they could do voluntary work in Metford Road allotments, where both of their parents have allotments.

Over three working sessions, the unmanaged land was transformed. Read below what Emily and Eve have to say about their experience.

The whips planted were a mix of hazel, hawthorn and fruit trees, and were sourced by RGCG. ‘Whip’ is a forestry term for small, unbranched young trees of up to 1 metre in height that have been grown for planting out.