“Being a crone did not stop her enjoying the sight and smell of May in the hedgerows, though the sight was a little blurred.”
―Diana Wynne Jones,Howl's Moving Castle
Hedgerows are ancient living structures that are fascinating and biodiverse reflections of nature.
But they are more than just boundaries or hedges; they are dynamic and alive, and embody the tenets of regenerative land management.
They kind of remind me of collages - an assemblage of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants - all laid out and intermixed as though they were on mother nature’s vision board.
The diversity of plant life helps bridge habitat and provide sustenance and shelter for a range of wildlife.
While digging into hedgerow research, I stumbled upon a delightful realization: my own property has a natural hedgerow! This wild collection of native species, including shrubs and herbaceous ground covers, demonstrates that whether intentionally or serendipitously sown, these unique ecosystems maintain a design and purpose that is indispensable to our environment.
As I wander through the swooping branches of spruces and delight in trillium sightings, I find sanctuary. Not just for myself but also for my goats and a host of wildlife. It's a complex ecosystem that offers privacy and peace, standing resiliently against the noise of the outer world.
I've had the unique opportunity to observe and experience the ecological benefits of a naturally established hedgerow right on my own property. Through years of firsthand interactions and observations, I've gained an appreciation for the vital role these diverse ecosystems play in supporting wildlife, sequestering carbon, and enhancing the overall health of the land.
→ Fun fact: We’ve been planting hedgerows since at least the Bronze Age, where they were an integral part of farmland (PTES). Some of those hedgerows from the bronze age still exist (RSPB)!
In my natural hedgerow, I've been delighted to observe so much life.
A couple of years ago, I heard a rustling bit of commotion going on from this area of my yard. I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I took a walk through to see - and two young fawns were playing under the protection of the tree cover!
Sometimes the commotion I hear is in the air - red and gray squirrels running around tree trunks and jumping from branch to branch.
Upon reflection, I’ve observed a range of bird species in this zone, from nuthatches to woodpeckers, chickadees to crows, blue jays and thrushes.
One of the most stunning moments of bird watching happened when I saw a bald eagle land on the top of a Douglas fir in this natural hedge - it was majestic, to say the least.
From late summer to early autumn, I have to be extra cautious when walking through this area - spiders weave their webs into complex shapes in the hedgerow during this time. In the spring, I’m always happy to see little ant holes in the ground - they have a reciprocal relationship with the seeds of the trillium that graces the understory.
And in the height of summer, I’ll sit on the lawn just outside this area and watch as Swallowtail butterflies sip nectar from the blooms of the blackberries.
Even during the dry heat of summer, the ground beneath offers a sanctuary of coolness. This is thanks to the shade of native flora and the layers of organic matter that act as a natural mulch.
During the hottest days, when the sun is blaring down on the lawn just outside of the hedgerow, it’s noticeably more comfortable in the shade provided by the tree cover. I sometimes sit on the ground under a spruce tree and enjoy the cool reprieve of the sheltered soil.
Soil moisture levels also remain higher here, with the organic matter and root systems helping to retain water. This microclimate regulation enhances the overall soil health and productivity within this area - and I never have to water it!
Many of the plants grown in a hedgerow are food sources for livestock. This helps farms and homesteads to be more self-sufficient with their feed sourcing.
While I don’t practice coppicing the trees in this area to give to my goats, they will graze through this area on occasion - enjoying the willow leaves and Doug fir branches, and any herbaceous plant that strikes their fancy.
The shelter of this area also lets the goats be protected from heat, rain, and snow, yet still graze outside.
The perennial nature of hedgerows helps to build soil health in the area. I can really see this when I brush back some of the organic debris on the ground and find a whole network of mycorrhizae, connecting the plants together and boosting their health. I’ve actually sampled some soil from this area to be an inoculant for some JADAM inputs, because it’s so rich, fertile, and loamy.
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Front. in Cons. Sci, WSU, PSU
When you select your hedge plants, think of filling in all of the layers of a forest. Tall trees as anchor points, tall bushes to bridge the space beween the shrubs and vines, and then an herbaceous layer as ground cover.
My yard's hedgerow has taught me the importance of choosing plants that naturally support and enhance each other. Majestic spruces and firs tower as a canopy, while serviceberry and oso plum fill in the niche just below them. Blackberry weaves between them and the roses, and then on the surface is a spread of green leavy ground cover.
They not only thrive with minimal intervention but also lay the foundations for a robust and resilient ecosystem.
Trees:
Shrubs:
Herbaceous Plants:
Climbers:
Site Assessment and Plan
During my observations of my own yard’s wild hedgerow, I noted how different species cohabitated and supported each other, revealing nature’s own site assessment. This wisdom can guide our choices, ensuring our hedgerows are both beautiful and beneficial to the local ecosystem.
Ecological Strategies:
Emulating the laissez-faire strategy that nature employed to craft my backyard hedgerow, I recommend a focus on native plantings that are more self-sufficient. This approach has allowed this area to flourish into a self-regulating sanctuary for wildlife.
Monitor Ecosystem Health:
My daily walks are informal check-ins on the hedgerow's health, a practice that could be adopted by any hedgerow steward. Observing the comings and goings of creatures and the subtle shifts in plant health helps me understand the state of the hedgerow’s wellbeing.
Be Patient:
While this guide highlights the multitude of ecological benefits hedgerows provide, there is one aspect so crucial it deserves its own spotlight: carbon sequestration.
Hedgerows are not merely borders but are essential in the fight against climate change, drawing down carbon from the atmosphere into their leaves, wood, and soil. Preliminary studies indicate their potential to significantly impact carbon levels in the soil, suggesting a promising avenue for environmental sustainability.
For a deeper dive into the science, statistics, and strategies behind how hedgerows can contribute to carbon sequestration and climate resilience, stay tuned for a detailed follow-up article that will explore these topics thoroughly.
Hedgerows are intrinsically linked with sustainable farming methods. Whether it's enhancing regenerative organic farming by providing habitats for beneficial insects or supporting permaculture and agroforestry, hedgerows are indispensable assets for eco-conscious farmers.
From creating microclimates to offering shelter for livestock, the stories of hedgerows in sustainable practices are as varied as they are inspiring. For those interested in how hedgerows can revolutionize farming and contribute to a more resilient agricultural landscape, we have prepared an in-depth exploration of this topic.
Read more: Hedgerows: The Keystone of Sustainable Farming Practices
Many thanks to Sean of Edible Acres + the community-resourced list of permaculture nurseries, as a few of the plant sources are from that page.
Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Visit the directory
Alaska Cooperative Extension Service: University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service
Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources Directory of Native Plnt Sources
Arizona Cooperative Extension: University of Arizona Extension.
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
Arkansas Native Plant Socety Plant Source List
California Cooperative Extension: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Drought tolerant hedges, wind breaks, and screens with California native plants.
Looking for California native privacy hedge
Colorado State University Extension: CSU Extension.
Wild Ones Front Range Chapter's List of Colorado Plant + Seed Sources
Connecticut Cooperative Extension System: UConn Extension.
Shop — Nuts & Bolts Nursery Co-Op
Delaware Cooperative Extension: University of Delaware Cooperative Extension.
University of Florida/IFAS Extension: UF/IFAS Extension.
University of Georgia Extension: UGA Extension.
Native Plants for Georgia Part I: Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines
University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension Service: UH Manoa Cooperative Extension.
University of Idaho Extension: UI Extension.
University of Illinois Extension: U of I Extension.
Purdue Extension - Indiana: Purdue Extension.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: ISU Extension and Outreach.
K-State Research and Extension - Kansas: K-State Extension.
Vinland Valley Nursery Organic Plants
University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service: UKY Extension.
LSU AgCenter - Louisiana: LSU AgCenter Extension.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: UMaine Extension.
University of Maryland Extension: UMD Extension.
UMass Extension - Massachusetts: UMass Extension.
Shop — Nuts & Bolts Nursery Co-Op
Michigan State University Extension: MSU Extension.
University of Minnesota Extension: UMN Extension.
Minnesota Dept. Natural Resources List
Mississippi State University Extension Service: MSU Extension.
Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes
University of Missouri Extension: MU Extension.
Montana State University Extension: MSU Extension.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: UNL Extension.
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: UNCE.
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension: UNH Extension.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension - New Jersey: Rutgers Extension.
New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service: NMSU Extension.
Cornell Cooperative Extension - New York: CCE.
Permaculture Food Forest Nursery Plants — Edible Acres
North Carolina Cooperative Extension: NC State Extension.
Feralwood Nursery — ARDEA LAND PROJECT
North Dakota State University Extension Service: NDSU Extension.
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants | NC State Extension Publications
Ohio State University Extension: OSU Extension.
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: OCES.
Oregon State University Extension Service: OSU Extension
A Guide to Hedgerows: Plantings That Enhance Biodiversity, Sustainability and Functionality
Invasive Trees & Shrubs / Bushes in the Pacific Northwest
Penn State Extension - Pennsylvania: Penn State Extension.
University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension: URI Extension.
Shop — Nuts & Bolts Nursery Co-Op
Clemson Cooperative Extension - South Carolina: Clemson Extension.
Feralwood Nursery — ARDEA LAND PROJECT
South Dakota State University Extension: SDSU Extension.
University of Tennessee Extension: UT Extension.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: AgriLife Extension.
Utah State University Extension: USU Extension.
University of Vermont Extension: UVM Extension.
Virginia Cooperative Extension: VCE.
Nursery — Silver Run Forest Farm
Washington State University Extension: WSU Extension.
Invasive Trees & Shrubs / Bushes in the Pacific Northwest
Native Plant Salvage Foundation
West Virginia University Extension Service: WVU Extension.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension: UW-Extension.
University of Wyoming Extension: UW Extension.
Vegetable, Flower, Herb, and Tree Seeds - The Incredible Seed Company
Seeds for the vegetable garden and local and ecological flowers
Hedgerows are integral to a vision of an agriculture that works with, rather than against, nature.
They encapsulate the essence of a regenerative landscape with their ecological functions and aesthetic values.
The careful selection of plant species can create hedgerows that not only sustain themselves, but also support the greater ecosystem year after year.
My accidental hedgerow, a serendipitous gift from nature, has taught me much about the harmony between human intent and the organic artistry of the wild. As we sculpt our landscapes, let us not forget the lessons offered by these natural assemblies, where the land itself dictates the delicate balance of life.
My unexpected hedgerow has become both a refuge and a classroom. It stands as a reminder that when we design our own hedgerows, we can look to these natural models for inspiration, ensuring that our efforts align with the intricate web of life that hedgerows are meant to support.
It is through these natural networks that we can craft a landscape that is resilient, productive, and in harmony with the planet's ecological balance.
