Laying hedge previously planted

We planted the hedge along the drive to Fromebridge Mill back in January 2023, and spent many work parties since looking after it. The task today with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust was to lay the hedge along the left hand side in the field. We split into two teams, and one group headed off to pollard willow near the pipeline, which would come in very handy towards the end of the day. The rest of us armed with bill hooks, silkies, axes and loppers to start at the far end. A couple started with the bramble trimming to make room for the first end lay, while we got on our knees to start hacking at the base of the young stems. As ever with these type of tasks, the first hour is spent trying different techniques and getting into a rhythm. In general, with only three year old stems, the task was much, much easier than the laying we did with 30+ year old trees on the reserve last year. The bill hook and small axe were the best tools for shaving and splitting the bark before laying. Stems cut…

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