Home / Environment / Hedge Revival: Ancient Craft Fights Climate Crisis
Hedge Revival: Ancient Craft Fights Climate Crisis
15 Sep
Summary
- 2,500 farmers applied for grants to restore ancient hedgerows.
- Mature hedgerows capture more carbon than forests per hectare.
- Government grants support environmental improvements on farms.
An ancient craft of hedge laying is experiencing a strong revival across England, with farmers increasingly adopting these traditional techniques to bolster wildlife, capture carbon, and mitigate flood risks. This resurgence is supported by a significant uptake in government grants aimed at practical environmental improvements.
Approximately 2,500 farmers have applied for a portion of the £225 million in capital grants offered this year. If approved, these applications will facilitate the restoration of 1,300km of mature hedgerows, a distance comparable to a round trip from Land's End to Hadrian's Wall. This initiative aims to rejuvenate hedgerows that have declined significantly since the mid-20th century.
Mature, well-maintained hedgerows are recognized as vital carbon sinks, sequestering more carbon per hectare than forests. They also play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, and absorbing substantial amounts of rainwater to lessen flood impacts. The People's Trust for Endangered Species notes that hedge laying is one of the most effective tools farmers have against climate change.
Despite record new hedge planting efforts, a 2023 UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology report indicated that hedges are still being lost due to over-trimming and under-management. Experts emphasize that ongoing management is essential for hedgerows to maintain their ecological benefits and prevent them from evolving into simple tree lines.
