All-rounder hedge

Field hedges bring structure and life to the landscape

In the past, hedges primarily served as boundary markers and enclosures, and also acted as natural fences to keep out wild animals or to contain livestock. Thorny shrubs like hawthorn were oft en planted for this purpose. Non-thorny deciduous hedges were cultivated as an additional source of fodder. Plants such as wild rose, elder, blackthorn, blackberry, and hazelnut produced fruits and nuts that were not only favoured by birds but also grown and harvested specifically for human consumption.

Hedges also served as important suppliers of resources. They provided firewood for ovens and stoves, construction materials for tools and broom handles, weaving material for baskets, and twigs for making brooms. Today, field hedges are primarily valued for their role in nature conservation. Due to their high bark content, traditional hedges are less suitable for energy production, such as heating. This is why agricultural wood strips, also known as energy hedges,
consist of trees that quickly form thick trunks.