Watchtree Management
Hedgerow Management at Watchtree
The 4km of planted hedgerow at Watchtree goes some way to mitigating against the significant hedgerow losses nationally over the past fifty years.
The hedgerows are still in the early stages of establishment
and will not be laid until seven years
of growth have occurred. The laying of hedgerows will take place on a three
year rotation thereby maintaining a range of hedge structures and species ages.
Recently planted ‘whips’ or small shrubs are prone to damage from voles and for
this reason each ‘whip’ has a protective guard which protects the bark from
damage. Most of these guards will break and biodegrade naturally leaving the
hedgerows to develop naturally.
Grass and herbs on either side of hedgerows, especially those adjacent to the burial cells, are cut on alternate years to prevent the development of rank vegetation. Surveys have so far shown that these areas contain the most diverse flora across the site.