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The following is a short summary of the habitat type and how to create/enhance it to a "good" condition. For an informed position, please refer to official up-to-date Government guidance or the UK Government's Condition Assessment Sheet.
Please note that the presence of a Ecologically valuable line of trees requires the inclusion of mature, and/or veteran trees and this requires the knowledge of a competent person.
Any work on hedgerow habitats should have regard for the Hedgerow Regulations 1997
A line at least 20 metres long of trees which are mature or will be allowed to grow to maturity. No shrub layer – if creating a shrub layer with a line of trees, ‘hedgerow’ or ‘hedgerow with trees’ are more appropriate options.
To be ecologically valuable, the line will include mature, and/or veteran trees
It should contain either:
(I) a hedgebank (an earth bank or mound distinct from the surrounding landform) that is at least 0.5 metres in height from its base underneath the lines of trees running along the top of the hedgebank; OR
(II) a ditch within 2m of the hedgerow edge.
How to Create / Enhance to a "Good" condition
A Guide (Non-Government) to creation can be found here.
How to get a "moderate" rating
In a management plan aiming to achieve ‘moderate’ condition the line of trees will show:
At least 70% native woody species. A newly created line of trees includes a range of species to boost diversity.
A continuous tree canopy for at least 90% of the total length with no canopy gaps wider than 5m wide. A newly created line of trees has trees spaced far enough apart to be able to properly mature. Once mature, their canopies will form a continuous feature.
Shows no signs of damage caused by human activities such as inappropriate management or vandalism. If more than 5% of the trees show signs of damage or disease, there are relevant management activities put in place to prevent the damage or disease continuing. The management may include additional planting to replace any damaged trees.
Trees are healthy with relevant management activities in place to prevent disease. This may include pruning to restore vigor, or targeted removal of unhealthy trees and replacement with new trees.
Source: Natural England
How to get a "good rating"
In addition to the characteristics for moderate condition, the line of trees in ‘good’ condition will show these features:
Vegetation can grow naturally in a strip that is at least 6 metres wide on both sides of the line of trees. There are no footpaths, arable fields, intensive grazing, or lawns within the 6-metre buffer area. A newly created line of trees is situated in an area managed for biodiversity for at least six metres on both sides.
One or more of the trees will be mature enough to provide natural habitat features to support birds, mammals, insects and other creatures. This may include standing deadwood and dead branches, holes and cavities, ivy or loose bark.
Source: Natural England
Useful Resources
Guide - Hedgerow Survey Handbook
Please note that this is a simple guide to help identify the habitat. For a definitive description, please refer to UKHab documentation. Joe's Blooms takes no responsibility for the content of external links.