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[[Image:Hedge_laying_Oxon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Laying a hedge in Oxfordshire.]]
'''Hedge laying''' is the skill of creating a stockproof barrier out of living woodland [[plant]]s. It involves the partial severing of woody plants, at a point just above ground level. The cut stems, known as
''pleachers'' or ''plashers'', are then laid over and interwoven to form a living fence. The top of the hedge is then usually bound with small diameter, very flexible stems of [[hazel]] to give a tidy finish and keep the stakes and pleachers held strongly in place.<ref>''Hedgerows'' [http://victorians.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/heritage-wildlife-and-landscape/hedgerows.en?page=3 West Susex Grid For Learning]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Most broadleaved woody shrubs and trees can be successfully laid including [[hawthorn]], [[blackthorn]], [[holly]], hazel, [[ash]], and [[rose]].<ref>''Hedge Laying and Coppicing'' [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/Lookup/HedgelayingLay&Cop03/$file/HedgelayingLay&Cop03.pdf Durham County Council]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref>
==Background==
Prior to the invention of wire, [[hedge]]s were the only practical and cost-effective way for a [[farm|farmer]] to enclose his [[livestock]] in areas where suitable and sufficient [[stone]] for walling was unavailable.<ref>''Preliminaries to hedge laying'' "British Trust for Conservation Volunteers handbook" [http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/chapter/72 BTCV]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Hedgerows help to define the uniqueness of the [[British]] countryside and are an important wildlife [[habitat]]. Hedge laying is still practiced in many areas of [[England]] and [[Wales]] as a method of [[conservation|conserving]] hedgerows through traditional skills.<ref>''Committed to conserving hedgerows through traditional skills'' [http://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/index.htm National Hedgelaying Society]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Thousands of miles of hedgerows have been lost as a result of [[agriculture|agricultural]] change and [[urban]] development, and those remaining are often in a poor condition. Hedge laying rejuvenates a hedge by encouraging new growth from the base, while the old stems are woven together to produce the barrier.<ref>''Hedge laying in the UK'' [http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100212.htm Responsible Travel]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Hedges require regular ongoing maintenance by landowners and farmers who spend £16 million ($32 million) per year caring for them.<ref>''Hedges and hedge-laying'' National Farmers' Union [http://www.nfuonline.com/x2818.xml NFUonline]. Accessed 28 Decvember 2007.</ref>
==References==
<references/>
'''Hedge laying''' is the skill of creating a stockproof barrier out of living woodland [[plant]]s. It involves the partial severing of woody plants, at a point just above ground level. The cut stems, known as
''pleachers'' or ''plashers'', are then laid over and interwoven to form a living fence. The top of the hedge is then usually bound with small diameter, very flexible stems of [[hazel]] to give a tidy finish and keep the stakes and pleachers held strongly in place.<ref>''Hedgerows'' [http://victorians.westsussex.gov.uk/ccm/content/environment/heritage-wildlife-and-landscape/hedgerows.en?page=3 West Susex Grid For Learning]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Most broadleaved woody shrubs and trees can be successfully laid including [[hawthorn]], [[blackthorn]], [[holly]], hazel, [[ash]], and [[rose]].<ref>''Hedge Laying and Coppicing'' [http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/Lookup/HedgelayingLay&Cop03/$file/HedgelayingLay&Cop03.pdf Durham County Council]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref>
==Background==
Prior to the invention of wire, [[hedge]]s were the only practical and cost-effective way for a [[farm|farmer]] to enclose his [[livestock]] in areas where suitable and sufficient [[stone]] for walling was unavailable.<ref>''Preliminaries to hedge laying'' "British Trust for Conservation Volunteers handbook" [http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/chapter/72 BTCV]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Hedgerows help to define the uniqueness of the [[British]] countryside and are an important wildlife [[habitat]]. Hedge laying is still practiced in many areas of [[England]] and [[Wales]] as a method of [[conservation|conserving]] hedgerows through traditional skills.<ref>''Committed to conserving hedgerows through traditional skills'' [http://www.hedgelaying.org.uk/index.htm National Hedgelaying Society]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Thousands of miles of hedgerows have been lost as a result of [[agriculture|agricultural]] change and [[urban]] development, and those remaining are often in a poor condition. Hedge laying rejuvenates a hedge by encouraging new growth from the base, while the old stems are woven together to produce the barrier.<ref>''Hedge laying in the UK'' [http://www.responsibletravel.com/Trip/Trip100212.htm Responsible Travel]. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> Hedges require regular ongoing maintenance by landowners and farmers who spend £16 million ($32 million) per year caring for them.<ref>''Hedges and hedge-laying'' National Farmers' Union [http://www.nfuonline.com/x2818.xml NFUonline]. Accessed 28 Decvember 2007.</ref>
==References==
<references/>