May 2014 (1) : Hedgerow trees, between Toby Lane and Dog Lane

If proof were needed of the beauty of our native surroundings, it was surely to be enjoyed in the lanes and hedgerows during May – especially luxuriant and brilliantly colourful this year, thanks to the wet winter having supported really abundant growth.  Hedgerows are highly visible elements of the countryside, and Woodbury Salterton is fortunate to be rich in stretches not just of older, but also of ancient, hedgerows.  These can be seen particularly along Honey Lane, Dog Lane, Toby Lane, and Bonds Lane, and in the area of Hogsbrook, Lyndhayne and Walkidons Way. 

Toby Lane

Hedgerows have a long history, and took on different forms and structures through the centuries, depending on farming practices and economic needs – for instance for timber and for animal foodstuffs.  Older hedges (pre-1800) are thicker and more species-rich than more recent planting: they are more likely to have evolved naturally rather than being deliberately planted, with species having been added over a long period by seed dispersal through wind and birds.  The presence of giant coppice stools or pollard trees are also indicators of great age.  Some particular plants offer further dating information: for instance, hazel and spindle, which are slow to colonize, are characteristic of ancient hedgerows originating perhaps 500 or 600 years ago.

Hedges planted more recently (post-1800) are dominated by hawthorn (quick growing, vigorous, and full of life and energy, and hence also known as ‘quickthorn’).  The original rows of plants are often still discernible and additional species are limited. 

Seeing the lanes so resplendent with flowers and new growth last month, it is perhaps difficult to realise how many plant species and hedgerows have been lost or reduced through modern farming practices.  In common with other areas, Woodbury as a whole has suffered much hedgerow removal since the 1940’s, through agricultural practices that require field enlargement and access for large machinery – as the parish Historic Environment Action Plan mapping workshops are revealing.  

Roadside verges have also suffered due to the size of modern vehicles.  Those hedgerows that remain are a vital year-round habitat and food source for a wide range of wildlife.  They provide shade and shelter, control soil erosion, and act as windbreaks and wildlife corridors.  In fact, the ecological value of hedges, verges and hedge trees is difficult to over-estimate. 

All of this and more is explored more fully in the Hedgegrow Tree Survey on the Woodbury Parish website  
http://www.woodburydevon.co.uk/. 

Online resources include  
//www.hedgelink.org.uk/, which has a simple visual  identifier 
http://www.hedgelink.org.uk/files/a_little_rough_guide_around_the_hedges.pdf. 

This blog focusses on the small lane between Toby Lane and Dog Lane, on the village side of Toby Cottage.  Un-named and almost traffic-free, it is well worth a stroll.  This posting is later than intended, but we hope you still find something to enjoy, looking back over the previous month.

Hedgerow trees

Hawthorn – also known as may, whitethorn, or quickthorn –  is one of the most popular hedging trees, due to its fast growth on almost all soils.  Indeed its common name comes from the Old English gehaegan, meaning ‘to enclose’, which gives us the word ‘hedge,’  attesting to its ancient importance. 

It is similar in appearance to blackthorn, but flowers later and has flowers and leaves on the stem at the same time.  It is preferable as a hedging plant because blackthorn is strongly suckering and can gradually create very wide and unmanageable hedges.  Its flowers were particularly abundant this year.  

Hawthorn buds

Hawthorn flowers (above and below)

Hawthorn leaves

Oak and holly are also common hedgerow trees and were important food sources – the leaves of young holly saplings or those above cattle-grazing height are not spiny and were a staple winter fodder.

Young holly shoots

Young oak leaves (above and below)

Other common hedgerow trees are field maple, hazel  and elm.

Field maple leaves

Field maple flowers

Young hazel leaves

Elm

Spindle can take 600 years to mature, so – as mentioned above – it can be an indicator of a very old hedge.  Some of these trees can be found in the damp woody area halfway along the lane.  The delicate leaves and flowers are often difficult to spot at this time of year (whereas in autumn its vivid leaves and berries are highly visible).  The small, white, four-petalled flowers are a valuable source of nectar for hoverflies, bees and other insects.  Its smooth, straight, hard twigs were used in the past for making wooden spools on which wool was wound – and also for knitting needles, skewers, and even toothpicks, as the wood can be cut to a point.  

Spindle