Experts are urging farmers to modify hedgerow cutting practices this autumn to support wildlife.
Traditionally, hedgerows are trimmed after the bird nesting season ends in autumn, but farmers are now encouraged to cut them every two-to-three years instead of annually, allowing them to grow longer.
This change provides more food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, enhancing biodiversity and benefiting the environment.
Simeon Day, of the Wildlife and Farming Advisory Group, said: “Repeated trimming can take it [the hedge] back to the knuckle point so it starts callousing.
“All the growth comes from there, it gets leggy at the bottom and hollow and really starts to degrade in quality.
He added: “If you keep trimming it every two-to-three years, or annually, incrementally, but let it go a little bit each year, then you create older wood with blossom, creating a fantastic food resource.”
Devon farmer Richard Dormor, who already follows this approach, reports positive results.
“It’s a win-win for me and you haven’t got the cost of cutting it,” he said.
“It provides shelter for animals – if you’ve got a long high hedge you’ll see the animals protecting themselves from the weather on the lee side. And we’re quite exposed up here so that’s quite important.”
The Devon Hedge Group recognises farmers who create wildlife-friendly hedges through annual awards.
Group chairman Rob Wolton said: “Not only will we have maintained our beautiful and wonderful world-class hedgerow networks but they will be in even better condition.
“We’re all talking these days about nature recovery; about how important it is to do good positive things for wildlife.
“I think looking after hedges in this healthy way will do an enormous amount for that.”
While hedges along roadsides still need to be trimmed for safety, they can be cut more thoughtfully to support nature.
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