The ancient practice of hedge laying is seeing a notable resurgence among farmers in England, driven by efforts to enhance biodiversity, capture carbon, and mitigate flooding risks. This traditional craft, which was widely used during the 18th and 19th centuries, is being revived with the support of government grants aimed at promoting practical environmental improvements across the countryside.

In the latest funding round, approximately 2,500 farmers have applied for grants focused on restoring and maintaining mature hedgerows using hedge laying techniques. If approved, these efforts will rejuvenate around 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of hedgerows—enough to stretch from Land’s End to Hadrian’s Wall and back. The government has allocated a total of £225 million this year to support such initiatives, with hedge laying ranking among the four most popular types of capital grants requested.

Megan Gimber, a key habitats officer with the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, highlighted hedge laying as a critical tool in combating climate change and reversing environmental decline. She noted that the practice largely fell out of use after World War II, contributing to a significant reduction in the number and quality of hedgerows over recent decades. The renewed focus on maintaining mature hedges is seen as an opportunity to enhance carbon sequestration, wildlife habitats, and soil and water conservation.

Mature hedgerows act as effective carbon sinks, storing more carbon per hectare than some forests. They provide shelter and shade for livestock, support thousands of animal and plant species, reduce soil erosion, and help absorb rainfall to prevent flooding. Stephen Budding, chair of the National Hedgelaying Society, emphasized the biodiversity benefits of laying older hedges, noting increased demand for skilled hedge layers bolstered by government incentives.

The hedge laying process involves partially cutting through stems and bending them at an angle toward the ground, encouraging vigorous regrowth that fills in gaps and refreshes the hedge structure. Skilled practitioners perform this work by hand. Competitions, such as the upcoming National Hedgelaying Championships in Chipping Norton, celebrate this expertise and help keep the craft alive.

Farmers like Robert Rose, who manages 220 acres in Yorkshire’s Lower Derwent valley, are embracing the method to maintain blackthorn, hawthorn, ash, and willow hedges on their land. Rose and his family, who planted new hedges two decades ago, have learned hedge laying through trial and error and observe growing interest in the practice within farming communities.

Beyond restoration, new hedge planting is also on the rise, with about 5,000 applications representing roughly 2,500 kilometers of new hedgerows—equivalent to the distance between Newcastle and Naples. However, experts caution that without ongoing management, these newly planted hedges are unlikely to persist, as over-trimming and neglect continue to threaten hedgerow survival nationwide.

Data from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in 2023 revealed continued hedgerow losses despite record planting efforts. The center stressed the importance of managing hedges during their mid-succession stage—a balance of trees and low, bushy growth critical for wildlife—rather than allowing them to mature into lines of trees.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting farmers with funding and resources to promote productivity, resilience, and environmental stewardship. The recent grant round closed following strong uptake, reflecting widespread farmer interest in both hedge restoration and broader conservation practices.