Dead Hedging.

 Dead Hedging

A bundle of waste.

On Sat 16th Oct I went on a Small Woods arranged visit to Rawhaw Wood in Northamptonshire. Hugh and Carolyn have been exemplar coppice workers for many years, making a living from the 35 acres of neglected Hazel coppice they took over 30 years ago.  They try and coppice 2  1 acre areas each year.  They sell almost all their produce and waste little.

Images of good hazel coppice and it's products are easily found on the internet. The activity that particularly intrigued me was their dead hedges. Deer are a particular problem. As well as the ubiquitous Roe and Muntjac deer the Rockingham Forest has herds of Fallow deer which can devastate coppice regrowth. A herd of 20-30 Fallow Deer were seen circling the wood waiting for us to leave. A novel approach to fencing has developed over the years.

As a coupe is felled a dead hedge is created with unsalable material. This keeps the ground clear and prevents the need for fires.

The starting point of a Dead Hedge.

 Two rows of vertical stakes are hammered in about a foot apart, horizontal bundles of small brash are placed in between. Subsequent bundles are put on top working out so the bundles gradually can become more vertical, but are inclined away from the direction of build. At the same time the stakes are inclined towards the building front. A fresh pair of stakes is hammered in through the base of the hedge at an angle so the two ends protrude beyond the hedge. The stakes are kept parallel and about a foot apart.  Another bundle of twigs is pushed between the stakes, and the process repeated while there are still stools  to cut in the coupe. 

Adding brash to the advancing hedge front.
It is worth noting how close to the ground the stool at the bottom of the picture has been cut.

The process is slow and labour intensive. It would not be practical in most situations. Where there is a growing supply of suitable material very close at hand it makes sense. The coppicing work can be close to the hedge front, and the area is kept clear of rubbish making working easier. If the time it would take to remove the rubbish, set a fire, and build a fence is considered, it becomes a logical proposition. The environmental, habitat, and satisfaction benefits then come on top.

A Dead Hedge that is about 4 years old and has served its purpose protecting the Hazel behind it.