Tradational Craftsman Peter Coates Creating a Yorkshire Style Hedge

Peter Coates has started laying the copse hedges this week – Yorkshire Style.   Hedge laying is a traditional method of hedge management that dates back to pre-Roman times; there are different styles for different areas of the country, depending on the type of farming.  Laying is mostly used when hedges have become overblown – as is the case with the Park’s – although a hedge can become so bad that not even hedge laying will bring it back.  Fortunately, these hedges have not quite got to that stage – although the situation was close.

To recreate a viable, health, hedge the tall stems are cut almost through at the base, and then laid over at an angle of around 35 degrees: the cut stems, called pleachers, are tucked Continue reading →