Guest Author - Nicola Jane Soen

One of the most Endearing things about Britain, that brings visitors here from all over the globe is the prettiness of the countryside. Although Napoleon called England a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’ it is a shame he never realized the beauty of the countryside that surrounded the shops!

Even its hedgerows have something very special and unique to offer. The Hedgerows were planted to mark boundaries and keep people on or off the Land they enclosed. Originally this was not so, but when it became law with the introduction of the ‘Enclose act’ of the 18 Century, so many hedges were planted it gave England the patchwork quilt effect it still has today.

Hedgerows in England

Much small wildlife now depends on these hedgerows. Mice, voles, rabbits, bees, butterflies and numerous insects depend on these places of protection, food and shelter. Not to mention the birds who seek protection in among its tangled, short and often thorny branches, like the Partridge and Pheasant. To look after and tend a hedge is not easy. It is a skilled job, on its own merit. Careful pruning to keep it at the right height and width, clearing out the weeds and not leaving cut-offs to clog up the ditches, next to the hedges, is vital for the survival of a good hedge.

Without our hedgerows the topsoil can be irrevocably damaged, which has often been the case since the industrial age of gigantic farming machines and production line methodology. This is not only devastating for the land, removing the good soil for seeds to grow, but has a terrible affect on the small wildlife that have come to depend on its protection.

The hedges offer protection from predatory animals, somewhat. From the Owls and Foxes among other animals that hunt the hedgerow creatures for dinner. Some Hedges are centuries old. They are interwoven with sweet smelling honeysuckle, irresistible to bees and butterflies, Brambles and Rosehips offer their fat luscious fruit to the mice and humans who often visit to pick the rich bounty offered for free by nature. Dogwood is another shrub that flowers making the hedgerow pretty for walkers and nature lovers and irresistible to Butterflies.

Fat yellow corn, Red field Poppies and sky blue Cornflowers all wave protected in their fields, so next time you wander down the quite lanes, or pick the cornflowers, while admiring the Hedgerows, please remember not to leave your litter. Mice drown in beer cans and insects in crisp packets. The hedgerows keep the delicate balance safe and the environment protected. We need to take care of our Hedgerows; some of them are so much older than we are. The green rolling hills of England are so good for walks and picnics, and when we all remember to remove our litter and be careful of the native plants and wild life we know they will stay that way.

Thankyou to Ladybirds Conservation book, which was a valuable source of research. Without which this article would not have been possible.