Changes

==Background==

==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>  

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 [[rock|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>  

Periodic laying greatly increases the natural lifespan of hedges, which if allowed to grow out will become thin at the base and eventually grow into lines of trees with no value as a fence. This form of neglect is one of the main causes of hedgerow decline.<ref>''Hedge Laying and Coppicing'' op cite.</ref> Laying is

Periodic laying greatly increases the natural lifespan of hedges, which if allowed to grow out will become thin at the base and eventually grow into lines of trees with no value as a fence. This form of neglect is one of the main causes of hedgerow decline.<ref>''Hedge Laying and Coppicing'' op cite.</ref> Laying is