Native Hedgerow – A Management Guide
In 2022 the council’s elected members recognised that hedges have a positive effect for both wildlife and the amenity of residents, and play a vital role in carbon reduction; the Council adopted a strategic aim to protect hedges within the Borough and to increase our hedgerow network. This guide is intended to support landowners to manage their hedgerows in ways that support this aim.
A hedgerow generally consists of a line of shrubs, sometimes with trees and a layer of herbaceous vegetation beneath, and often has an associated feature such as a field margin, bank, ditch, or road verge.
Hedges are important for wildlife; they provide a source of food for insects, birds and larger animals in their leaves, flowers and fruit and provide homes and shelter. Mature trees within hedgerows can provide roosts for bats and owls. Hedgerows act as wildlife corridors for animals.
As hedgerows are shrubs, if left unmanaged they will eventually form a line of trees. Management prevents this natural succession occurring, however over management can lead to shrubs failing, leading to gaps in the hedgerow and eventually its entire loss.
Fencing against stock is often desirable to protect new hedges and those that have been recently laid (steeped) or coppiced, to reduce trampling and rubbing and to prevent gaps developing in the shrub layer.
Legislation
Removal of hedgerows requires prior notice to Rushcliffe Council, but coppicing and other work that enables rejuvenation is exempt. For further information visit the Government website and our website page.
The Hedgerow Regulations 2024 make it an offence to cut an agricultural hedgerow between 1 March to 31 August and a duty to maintain a 2m wide green buffer either side, both are subject to some exemptions. This is enforced by the Rural Payments Agency. For more information visit the Government website on cutting and trimming guidance and hedgerow management rules.
Dos and Don’ts of hedgerow management (see references 1 and 3)
Do trim sections on at least a three-year rotation, leaving alternate sides and stretches uncut to remain thick each year (unless the hedgerow will obstruct a path or road).
Do consider if a hedge can be left uncut for up to 10 years and then re-shape using a sharp circular saw attachment.
Don’t cut hedges in large blocks - gaps are too large for insects to cross to reach their food source.
Do undertake management work in November to January. Management at the wrong time of the year can disturb breeding birds and remove fruit or flowers.
Do allow the hedge to increase in height by up to 10cm at each cut to avoid severe damage to branches.
Do keep, plant and replace hedgerow trees, with one approximately every 20 metres which are important for species such as barn owls and bats. Tag young trees during flailing, to ensure they are not cut.
Do leave field margins alongside hedges.
Don’t cut undergrowth under hedges as they can become leggy at the base.
Do consider the shape of your hedge - an A-shaped hedge is good for wildlife.
Don’t cut hedges too low - this will eventually damage the hedgerow and result in loss of habitat. A minimum of 1.5m is recommended but the higher the better.
Do retain dead standing trees if safe to do so, alternatively consider crown reduction.
Lay or coppice when a hedge has got tall with thick stems.
Gap up or re-plant with locally appropriate species – see online advice on our websites pages on native hedgerows and landscape character.
Hedgerow condition and management action (see references 1 and 2)
| Present condition | Present condition - description | Management action |
|---|---|---|
 |
Cut short with many gaps and sparse stems, likely to have hard knuckle at trim line, shrubs have mop-headed growth form. The bases of the shrubs may be gnarled or rotting and stems too far apart to be allowed to grow up for laying. |
Coppice and re-plant gaps. Grub out or treat undesirable species, such as elder if present in quantity. |
 |
Cut short yet still dense: hard knuckle at trim line and mop-headed growth appearing, and gaps developing at base. Stems sufficiently frequent that when allowed to grow up the hedge can be successfully laid. |
Allow the hedge to grow up for between 8-20 years so that it can be laid, coppiced or re-shaped. Hedge may be trimmed as it grows up, but raise cutting height each time. |
|
|
Recently laid, coppiced or planted. |
In first 3-4 years trim often to create dense growth, initially low down, raising cutting height a few inches each year. |
 |
Dense with frequent healthy stems, at 1-3 m high. |
Trim every 2-4 years, raising trimming height a few inches each time to prevent development of dense knuckle and mop-headed growth until Point 6 reached. Alternatively, if the hedge is trimmed every year, raise the cutting height each time. |
 |
Dense with frequent healthy stems, over 3 m high. |
Allow the hedge to grow up ready for laying (if necessary - typically stems of 8-15 cm diameter). Lay when appropriate or re-shape with circular saw |
 |
Tall hedge with spreading canopy, may be starting to become gappy, hedge, typically over 6-7 m high with many ash or oak stems and, thinning or sparse shrub layer. Includes stems too large for laying (typically more than 15 cm in diameter). |
Coppice and plant up gaps, or re-shape with circular saw |
 |
Mature line of trees |
Retain as line of trees for as long as possible. When the trees die or have to be felled, replant the hedge, in whole or in part as appropriate. |
References
1. Devon Hedge Group (date unknown) Devon hedges and modern farming, available to view on the Devon Hedges website, accessed 16/10/2025
2. PTES (date unknown) Top tips for managing hedgerows, available to view on the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) website, accessed 16/10/2025
3. Nottingham Biodiversity Action Group (NBAG) (2020) Managing Hedges for Biodiversity, available on the NBAG website, accessed 20/10/2025
See also see the Hedge Management Guide available on the Hedge Link website.