HISTORY OF HEDGES ON EXMOOR

In a national context, hedges growing on a stone faced or earth bank, are comparatively rare. On Exmoor however, they are the traditional means by which field and property boundaries are recognised, and they play a key part in defining the landscape character of the 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.

Field boundaries on Exmoor can be dated back to the Bronze Age, about 3000 years ago. The older ones tend to be banks without hedges on top. During Saxon times many fields were created as clearings in woodland and the surrounding trees were used as hedges. Many of Exmoor’s old moorland settlements have Saxon boundaries. Over the centuries the limits of cultivation spread outwards from such settlements, so the boundaries become more recent the further they are from farms and hamlets.

Across Exmoor the style and structure of hedgebanks varies considerably. 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, insects, birds and small mammals. The earth and stone faced beech hedgebanks are found on higher land and are characteristic of the larger scale enclosure pattern, mainly dating from the 19th century.

The use of beech hedgebanks was promoted in the mid 19th century, when moorland reclamation was at its height. Most places where beech hedgebanks can be seen today were formerly open moorland. The large, square fields and new straight roads beside them are a great contrast to the older, small, irregular fields and narrow, twisting lanes. Leading in the creation of these beech hedgebanks was Robert Smith, agent for Frederic Knight, who owned much of the former Royal Forest of Exmoor around Simonsbath. Mr Knight let out much of his land at low rents on the provision that tenants improved it and created the hedgebanks.

HEDGEROW MANAGEMENT

Traditionally, Exmoor’s hedges have been managed by regular laying and banking-up to preserve them as stock proof features. However, over the last fifty years, changes in agricultural practices have led to hedges being removed, mechanically flailed, or simply left to grow up and become derelict. Farmers and landowners need support to manage their hedges in the traditional manner and a range of grant schemes are available to encourage this.

Over the past ten years, the Defra Exmoor Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) grant scheme has provided grant aid for the restoration of many hedges, which has been a huge benefit to landowners. In 2005, Defra are launching a new grant scheme, called Environmental Stewardship. This will replace the ESA and Countryside Stewardship schemes. Under the Higher Level Stewardship tier of the new scheme, grants will still be available for carrying hedge maintenance and restoration work. Other small grants are also available for hedge restoration; please contact the National Park Authority for further information.

When carrying out hedge restoration work, such as routine laying, coppicing, banking and tree planting, it is important that it is done at the right time of year. For example, laying and coppicing should be undertaken during the winter months, between November and March, when the sap is not rising. The ‘Exmoor Hedges’ leaflet, produced by the National Park Authority, in partnership with Defra and the Forestry Commission, provides useful information about hedge management and restoration. The leaflet covers a wide range of issues, including traditional hedge laying, coppicing, partial restoration, hedgerow trees, hedge planting, corn ditches and felling licenses. If you would like a copy, please contact the National Park Authority. Exmoor Hedge Leaflet (PDF, 508kb)

Two useful contacts for information about hedgerows and their management are the Somerset and Devon Hedge Groups. These groups were formed to co-ordinate the efforts of individuals and organisations who are concerned about hedgerows. They work alongside farmers and landowners to promote responsible hedge management through demonstrations, competitions, training courses, management advice, publicity and other initiatives. The National Park Authority is represented on both of these groups.

Somerset Hedge Group

Devon Hedge Group

Under the Hedgerow Regulations, which came into force in June 1997, anyone wishing to remove a hedge or widen a gateway in a hedge which is covered by the Regulations must notify the National Park Authority by completing a Hedgerow Removal Notice. In certain circumstances, planning permission may be required. Please contact the National Park Authority Planning Department for further information and advice.

FELLING LICENCES

Anyone wanting to restore their hedges, by laying or coppicing, should be aware that a felling licence may be needed. If the amount of timber to be cut amounts to more than 5 cubic metres in any calendar quarter (or 2 cubic metres if it is to be sold on), an application should be made to the Forestry Commission. For hedgerows, this applies if stems to be cut are over 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter when measured at a height of about 1.3m (4 ft) from the top of the hedgebank.

If you need to make a felling licence application and live within the National Park boundary, contact Exmoor National Park Authority. For applicants living outside of the National Park, please contact the Forestry Commission

An application is unlikely to be refused if the work constitutes sensible management, but up to 3 months should be allowed for the administration process. A licence will normally be unconditional, although when standard trees are to be felled they are likely to require replacing, which can be made a condition of the licence.