1905.] 



Hedgerow Timber. 



the " stake and edder " fence, or the quickset hedge. Occa- 

 sionally, especially along the boundary line of two neighbouring 

 farms or estates, a narrow strip of ground was enclosed by a 

 bank and ditch on either side, and was reserved for growing 

 hazel, thorn, or other growth which could be used for " setting " 

 the banks from time to time. The tops of these banks 

 formed, and still form to this day, more or less suitable seed- 

 beds for the seeds of most indigenous forest trees, while species 

 such as English elm and poplar, which produce root suckers, 

 will soon fill up such banks with a thick crop of saplings if left 

 alone. Raised in this way, and attaining a height of six or 

 eight feet, the preservation of such saplings would follow as a 

 matter of course when the next cutting or laying of the hedge 

 took place. A custom prevailed on many estates of paying 

 the hedge-cutters one penny for every young sapling left when 

 hedge-cutting, and the retention of such saplings is an under- 

 stood thing in all cases, although carelessness and the insti- 

 gation of the farmer may cause the disappearance of many. 



At the present time the bulk of the hedgerow timber south 

 of the Trent consists of English and Wych elm, oak, and ash. 

 Of these the first-named is the most frequent species from 

 Warwickshire southwards, except in certain districts which are 

 characterised by stiff, sour clays, or by very poor or high-lying 

 land, such as the Downs or Wolds. On clay land, or in dis- 

 tricts which have only been cleared of natural woodland within 

 comparatively recent times, the oak and ash are usually plen- 

 tiful, while the Wych elm is abundant in Essex. These last 

 three species also form practically the whole of the ordinary 

 hedgerow timber in the Midlands and North of England, while 

 sycamore also becomes more plentiful towards the North. 

 Where other species occur, such as beech, black Italian poplar, 

 &c, it may be taken for granted that they have been planted. 



Taking English hedgerow timber as it is, there are three 

 fairly distinct points of view from which it may be judged : 1st, 

 its value as an ornamental feature of the landscape ; 2nd, its 

 importance in providing shade and shelter from hot sun or 

 cold or strong winds to men, live stock, or crops ; and, 3rd, its 

 value as a natural source of wealth in rural districts. 



The ornamental features of hedgerow trees depend almost 



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