Hedgebanks on Exmoor

The mature beech hedges and avenues on tExmoor contribute to the distinctive character of the area. They are generally on top of earth banks which are often very badly eroded. They were planted as hedges to form boundaries, act as wind-breaks and contain stock.

It is thought that the magnificent trees of today are the result of years of neglect following the demise of hedgelaying. These big, closely spaced trees will be kept for as long as possible as features in the landscape, until they begin to thin out as the older trees die, leaving rows of mature specimens. Where spacings between trees allows, infill planting can take place.

The traditional craft of hedgelaying is being encouraged where possible to manage these younger trees. These ancient hedges provide important habitat for wildlife such as nesting holes for birds, wasps and bees, and roost sites for bats. The banks are good for burrowing mammals such as voles, and for many insects and plants.

Field boundaries on Exmoor are part of the distinctive character of the area and this is why these boundaries should be maintained through practices such as traditional hedge laying or stone walling.

Traditional hedgelaying is important both historically and environmentally as hedges provide vital habits for wildlife. Stone boundaries are rarer on Exmoor but equally important.

In recent years the significance of cornditches has been recognised. A cornditch is a boundary that has one vertical stone faced side and one sloping side, this was to enable the one way traffic of livestock out on to the moors or commons. These types of boundaries are now being restored through agri-environment schemes.

The boundaries on Exmoor can be thousands of years old and, if the ancient character of this landscape is to be maintained, their preservation is essential. Use of traditional building and maintenance methods can enhance and protect the Historic Environment.

A hedge bank that is falling into disuse. This one is no longer stock proof

The West Country Somerset, Devon and Cornwall all have these unique unusual features where they act as boundaries and field dividers.

Hedgebanks are unusual features both nationally and internationally and are confined to the West Country (Somerset, Devon and Cornwall). They feature widely on Exmoor as field and common boundaries. They consist of a bank of earth, typically 1 - 2metres high with a hedge growing on top. Sometimes the sides of the bank have 'ditching' - faced with stone which varies in character across the Moor. In the early 19th century the Acland family (landowners with a huge estate on the Moor) experimented with various forms of hedge to top the banks and found that beech was the most successful. Beech grew higher on Exmoor than elsewhere, was of low 'logging' value so the locals left it alone (!) and when thinned and 'layed' formed a good wind and stock proof barrier.

The Knight family of Simonsbath used beech extensively in the mid 19th century during their huge moorland reclamation project.

Mature beech hedges and avenues contribute to the distinctive character of Exmoor. They are generally on top of earth banks which are often very badly eroded. They were planted as hedges to form boundaries, act as wind-breaks and contain stock.

These ancient hedges provide important habitat for wildlife such as nesting holes for birds, wasps and bees, and roost sites for Bats. The banks are good for burrowing mammals such as voles, and for many insects and plants.

Somerset Hedge Group

Exmoor's hedges play a key part in defining the landscape character of the Exmoor National Park and surrounding area. They contribute to agricultural management by providing shelter to livestock and crops, support valuable wildlife habitats, and are an important historical record of human activity.

The small irregular fields within Exmoor's valleys are typically bounded by mixed species hedges on medieval banks. These are very valuable for wildlife, supporting a diverse range of plants and animals. The earth and stone faced beech hedgebanks are characteristic of the larger scale enclosure pattern, mainly 19th century, found on higher land.
Traditionally, Exmoor's hedges have been managed by regular laying and banking-up to conserve them as stock-proof features. Over the years, changes in agricultural practices have led to hedges being removed, mechanically flailed, or left to grow up and become derelict. Farmers and landowners are now encouraged to manage their hedges in the traditional manner.

The effect of the strong westerly winds on a hedge bank

Hedge Laying

Hedge Laying (or steeping) is normally undertaken during the winter months, between November and March when the sap is not rising. Stems (known as steepers or pleachers) should be 2.5 - 3.5m tall before they are laid. Stems too big to lay over 10cm are coppice. Hedges are commonly laid on an 8-15 year rotation; frequency will depend on location and species composition. This is because hedges are vital for wildlife such as dormice and Bats which use them both for feeding and for commuting to other wildlife-rich areas.n The timber cut out of the hedge is often burnt on site or used for fire wood. As an alternative, there are local firms wanting to work with landowners and contractors to chip the timber, for use in wood-chip fired boilers.

Copicing

Overgrown hedges, where most stems are too big to lay are coppiced and cast-up. As with laying, this is usually done in the winter months when the sap is not rising. Beech does not tend to coppice well when mature and can be killed if too much wood is cut out.

Mlany Exmoor hedges have been left o grow to maturity, becoming 'lines of trees' rather than typical hedgebanks. These tall trees have now become a significant landscape feature.

Many hedgerows, particularly mixed hedges, contain standard trees such as oak and ash, which have been left to mature. These trees are important landscape features, provide shelter for livestock and are a valuable wildlife habitat, providing food, esting sites and song posts for birds. Standard trees are less common in beech edges. Where they are present, the heavy shade cast by beech often prevents growth of the hedge beneath them.

Stone Banks

Many banks are faced with stone. The stone facing around gateways is known as 'quoining'.

Corn Ditches

Corn ditches are old field boundaries that have a vertical stone face on one side and a gradual slope on the other. Historically, this enabled the one way movement of livestock from farmland onto moorland or common land.

ancient trees

Exmoor has a number of ancient or veteran trees of interest


See also:

See Exmoor National Park Leaflet on Exmoor Hedges- A guide to management and restoration for farmers, landowners and contractors

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