Successfully establishing your ACRES hedge

Approximately 5,000 farmers will plant 2,000km of new hedges under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) this winter, adding to Ireland’s extensive network of hedgerows.

As part of an event organised for National Hedgerow Week 2023, Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, highlighted key steps to ensure the successful establishment of these new hedges.

Catherine explained: “There are two different types of hedges – topped and treeline – and the first question I would always ask a farmer interested in planting a new hedge is: what type of hedge are you hoping to grow? Both hedge types are good for biodiversity and both should be present on farms, but the management during the establishment years differs.

“Topped hedges are those that are maintained to form a traditional hedge with a dense base, while treeline hedges – previously referred to as escaped hedges – are untopped hedges, forming a line of trees or linear woodlands.”

Depending on the hedge type desired, the species mix may differ. However, as set out in the terms and conditions of the ACRES scheme, plants must be of Irish origin or provenance and must be purchased from registered producers. The Irish provenance is an important point, Catherine explained, as it’s not only a condition of the scheme but such plants are more accustomed to Irish growing conditions.

In addition, as part of the ACRES contract, five plants per metre must be planted in a double staggered row, with at least three species – with no one making up more than 70% of the total – planted.

Establishing a topped hedge

At an event hosted in Kildaton Agricultural College, Catherine detailed the steps to success when establishing a topped hedge, commenting that hedgerow species tolerant of trimming are desired.

She said: “Now is the time to plan the establishment of your hedge under the ACRES scheme. Although the hedge plants won’t be available until the first frost and planting doesn’t typically take place until January, now is the time to prepare.

“For ACRES, five plants per metre in a double staggered row is required. That’s about 40cm between the plants and about 40cm between the rows.

“When establishing a hedge, we always turnover the ground with a digger first to make it easier for planting. There is no point in thinking you are going to have a thin hedge. Come out one metre from the fence line and turnover the soil. The real benefits of a hedgerow in terms of carbon sequestration and biodiversity come from their width and density, so be prepared to have a 3m wide hedge in the future.”

On plant selection and planting, Catherine said: “Choose two year old bare rooted whips; these are strong and tall and have a better chance of survival compared to one year old whips. Always be careful when planting that you don’t let the whip dry out. Don’t burry the stem when planting, but ensure the roots aren’t exposed. Once in place, firm the soil around the plant with your boot.”

Once successfully planted, the next task is identifying and protecting occasional individual plants with a tree guard. These selected trees – approximately one per every 10m - will be allowed grow above the height of the hedge in future years and will prove a valuable asset to biodiversity. Catherine has a preference for thorn species, such as the white or blackthorn, as both provide berries. These trees should not be pruned or topped.

In the below video, Catherine outlines the important steps to take when planting a topped hedge:

On the management of the remainder of the hedge following planting – with the exception of holly and the guarded individual trees, Catherine said: “After planting, prune all plants other to about 3cm above the ground. A common mistake that farmers make is failing to prone, everyone is nervous of pruning at first, but it’s important to create a dense hedge. This cut should be sloping, leaving a sharp point.

“Pruning is necessary to create a thick, dense hedge as each individual plant will tiller and create numerous shoots from below the cutting point; this is the beauty of the thorn species – instead of one it will produce multiple shoots.

“Once this has been completed, push a compostable film over the pruned stumps to create a barrier to avoid competition for the newly-sown hedge with weeds or grass. Bark mulch can also be used if available. Also consider whether fencing is required to reduce the damage caused by grazing livestock or rabbits,” Catherine said.

Additional pruning will be required for a few years after the hedge has been planted, and this should be done in a targeted manner to help thicken any weak spots within the hedge. The aim, after a few years, is to be able to remove the fence.

Treeline hedge

Some farmers, however, may opt to grow a treeline hedge. On these, Catherine said: “The planting procedure for a treeline hedge in ACRES is the same as for a topped hedge, except no hedge plants are pruned but all are allowed grow up into a line of individual trees with full canopies.

“Because the plants are not pruned, compostable film is not a practical method of weed control. Other mulches can be considered such a bark mulch or sheep’s wool. Walking down the vegetation around the plants during the summer may be sufficient to keep the hedge plants alive,” Catherine said.

Details on establishing such a hedge are available in the below video:

For more information on National Hedgerow Week, click here.