Hedge-laying courses to take place at Greenmount

Over the past number of years, the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) has hosted one-day practical courses at Greenmount Campus for anyone interested in hedge laying.

These are hands-on one-day introductory courses that aim to demonstrate the skills and techniques involved with the practice. CAFRE will be offering a number of courses in January and February 2025.

CAFRE technologist, Robert Beggs explained: “Hedge laying is a traditional skill that has been used to rejuvenate hedgerows across the British Isles for centuries.

“It involves partially cutting the stems of the hedge plants and laying them uphill at approximately 30 degrees.

“The hedge produces new growth from the base and the laid stems continue to grow over the medium-term. This results in a thicker hedge that is better for biodiversity, shelter and is more stockproof.”

As time has progressed different regions have developed their own distinctive styles of laying down a hedge.

These styles have evolved due to differences in materials available and types of livestock to be enclosed, e.g., the method used in sheep farming areas will differ from those in cattle farming areas.

“In Northern Ireland our hedges are particularly important as they go some way to compensating for our low proportion of woodland,” Beggs continued.

“Hedges also enhance the appearance of the countryside, enclose livestock, and provide a valuable habitat for a variety of plants and animals.”