How to use your hedges most effectively for wind protection
Hedges have been used as a natural windbreak for centuries, proving their worth over time. Whether protecting plants, property or people, hedges planted in specific areas significantly reduce the effects of strong winds. Moreover, these functional plantings enhance the aesthetic value of any property while providing a useful habitat for wildlife. To use hedges most effectively for wind protection, selecting the correct species according to climate and wind patterns is paramount. Hedges composed of multiple plant species or possessing a diverse range in leaf size and shape, have been proven to be more effective at slowing wind speeds than single-species hedges. When planting your hedge, be diligent in spacing them adequately to ensure proper growth and coverage. Hedges should be planted in rows with the appropriate distance from each other to optimise air flow and sun exposure. Prune and shape your hedge as needed to guarantee it continues to provide maximum wind protection. In addition to traditional hedge species like boxwood and privet, there is a multitude of other plant options for windbreaks including evergreen trees, shrubs, and even bamboo. With proper planning and maintenance, windbreak hedges can provide pragmatic and aesthetic advantages, significantly reducing the impact of strong winds across your property.
What are the benefits of hedges for wildlife?
Hedges, which are rows of trees or shrubs that are planted closely together, are an important feature in the landscape. Not only do they enhance the appearance of the space they occupy, but they also provide numerous benefits to wildlife. Here are some of the benefits of hedges to wildlife: 1. Shelter: Hedges provide shelter to birds, insects, and small mammals. Birds use hedges for nesting, while insects and small mammals use them as shelter from predators and harsh weather conditions. 2. Food: Hedges are a source of food for wildlife. Some species of birds, such as blackbirds and thrushes, feed on the berries produced by hedges. At the same time, insects that feed on the foliage of the hedges provide food for larger predators such as birds and bats. 3. Travel routes: Hedges provide wildlife with travel routes, allowing animals to move from one location to another without being exposed to predators. For example, hedges can provide corridors for hedgehogs to traverse, which is important for their survival. 4. Biodiversity: Hedges support a diverse range of plant and animal species. The foliage of the hedges provides a habitat for insects such as butterflies and moths, while the ground beneath the hedges provides a habitat for small mammals such as mice and shrews. A wide range of bird species also feed on the insects and berries that hedges provide. 5. Carbon storage: Hedges are an effective means of storing carbon. The trees and shrubs in the hedge absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air during photosynthesis and convert it to oxygen. In addition, the hedge provides a natural barrier that filters air pollution. 6. Soil protection: Hedges help to protect soil from erosion by wind and water. The dense root systems of the trees and shrubs bind the soil together, preventing it from being washed away during heavy rain. Hedges also help to reduce the amount of surface water runoff, which can contribute to flooding. 7. Aesthetic value: Finally, hedges enhance the beauty and overall aesthetic value of the landscape. They provide an attractive backdrop to gardens, parks, and other public spaces, and can enhance the visual appeal of urban areas. In conclusion, hedges are an important feature in the landscape that provide numerous benefits to wildlife. They provide shelter, food, travel routes, and support biodiversity while also providing a means of carbon storage and soil protection. By planting hedges in gardens, parks, and public spaces, individuals can help support local wildlife populations while also enhancing the beauty of the landscape.
Exploring The Benefit Of Hedges To Birdlife
One can’t place a value on beauty and purpose when it comes to nature. Everything has a purpose and function when dealing with the aspects of the great outdoors. Sometimes, those things which appear to have the least amount of significance, is what others need the most. No one takes the time to look at the benefit of hedges to birdlife, when they observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Hedgerows are very significant when it comes to wildlife. It is known that they support 80 percent of birds from the woodland, not to mention about half of mammals and over 25 percent of butterflies. Ditches and banks that are commonly linked to hedges provide a place for reptiles, frogs, and other amphibians to live. The maintenance of hedge heights is of extreme importance, because they support many types of birds and their dwelling tendencies. For example, blackbirds and greenfinches may rest above ground level, while robins, whitethroats, and wrens nest on lower levels. Birds such as grey partridges use grass from the bottom of the hedgerow in which to rest. Managing a hedgerow with a grassy verge at the bottom is very important. It provides a grassy cover for all animals. Field margins and hedgerows with grassy bottoms are of extreme importance because they provide insect larvae for baby birds to feed upon as well as nesting material. All types of wild flowers and grass grow on a hedge and helps to conceal nests from approaching predators. During the winter months, hedgerows serve as roosting and feeding sites for local bids and visiting birds such as the redwing. Hedges that provide plenty of cover and material for birds are the best. However, there should be a variety of shapes and sizes that extend to woody areas. Hedgerows that contain a large number of woody species are good because they can support more birds. Trees such as the oak are excellent because they also support a huge variety of insects and are amazing as song posts. Trees that are older in nature have lots of wholes which provide places of rest for bats, owls, and kestrels. Dead timber is an excellent source of food for insects and are usually left in the hedges. It is better when there is a huge variety of trees and shrubs. Nectar is provided by different species of flowers that also attract more insects, which of course, attracts more birds. These flowers will also supply a lot of berries that will attract other wild life. Hedges are so very important because it provides a wonderful habitat for birds. It provides, food, safety, as well as shelter. Depending upon the seasons, many different types of birds will become regular visitors and eventually build their own residence. Also, the more birds that are attracted, the more one can learn and observe the different variety of birds right in one’s own backyard. Hedges not only are of value to birds, insects, and amphibians, but are also a great source of education for the human species.
Things You Need To Know About Native Hedges You Can Grow To Support Local Wildlife
Native hedgerow provides shelter and food for a range of wildlife. But what if you want to encourage native wildlife into your garden, but do not have the time or space for a proper hedge? Here are helpful things you should know about native hedges you can grow to support local wildlife. A great alternative is to grow native shrubs as showy, informal hedges. These include laurel, holly and bay, there are also native cultivars of privet and honeysuckle that are available. There is good reason to plant a native hedge. For example, many species of native shrub produce berries that attract birds, such as blackbirds, thrushes, and waxwings. You can plant hedges of native shrubs in a formal or informal style. Plant them, so they are slightly overgrown, then trim them each year to keep them tidy. Grow Berries and Fruit Hedges Growing your own fruit and berries is a wonderful way to get closer to nature and local wildlife. It is also a very rewarding experience, especially if you have children who can help with the picking and preparation of the produce. And, because you are growing your own, the fruit and berries are as fresh as they come. Plant a Berry Patch The first thing to do is decide what type of fruit or berries you want to grow. The best way to do this is to go to your local nursery and talk to the staff about what grows well in your area. Alternatively, speak with other gardeners who may have some knowledge of which plants will thrive in your area. When you have decided on the type of fruit or berries you want to grow, select a site that is in full sun and has fertile soil to help you grow native hedges that can support local wildlife. Choose a Site That Gets Full Sun and Fertile Soil To help ensure your plants get off to a good start, you can prepare the ground by adding some well-rotted manure or compost to the soil before planting. This will give your plants an excellent nutrient base as they grow. You can also mulch around the base of the native hedges.
Know How Hedges Help Wildlife Habitat Today
All over the world, wildlife plays a significant role in the ecosystem. As such, humans must live with the surrounding animals in a friendly manner. There exist natural boundaries that separate people and animals. Some of these boundaries are done by humans, while others come naturally. Many people who love their ecosystem might wish to set an edge and provide a good environment. Achieving this means incorporating some hedges. In this article, we learn how hedges help wildlife. Many people do not understand the importance of hedges within an ecosystem. Apart from keeping animals inside their natural fields and acting as boundaries, these boundaries remain a vital component for flora and fauna. With the destruction of many woodlands, animals and plants within an ecosystem suffer. Many species have thus become adapted to living within the barricades. The encloses become a roadway to get within the woods. Instated of building walls and fixing fences to act as wildlife boundaries, experts recommend hedges. The best solution involves native shrubs and trees. These shrubs and trees make it easy for different species to move between gardens and any other space. Therefore, these plants make it easy to move across. Another benefit seen comes in the form of food. A higher percentage of fauna depend on flora as food. Plants within a particular corridor act as food. Different species eat leaves, berries, flowers containing nectar, nuts and seeds. Some predators also get their food from insects that breed and live within that ecosystem. Humans need to have these barricades in various places. Once done, it becomes a link to different habitats. Research done indicates that a hedge provide a natural corridors. Animals can travel to and from many places within that corridor. If you care about the ecosystem, planting in the correct location will add that important corridor or link. Some people love to see birds flying around them. For such people, creating an excellent habitat remains a great investment. Trees, shrubs and other elements that make up a wildlife hedge provide an ideal habitat for pollinators and birds. These habitats allow birds and pollinators to thrive and increase in number. A regular fence will not provide this habitat. Privacy remains an essential element in the ecosystem. A barricade done correctly brings privacy to the species residing inside. Also, these boundaries act as noise reduction elements. Because of this, the species have a good time living within calm boundaries. In a single place or habitat, you find different sites. Each site remains ideal for a given species. These sites must remain connected to benefit flora and fauna. You will find people doing the planting, while some grow naturally, thus become the ideal connection to those sites. Though these barricades have played a significant role in helping flora and fauna, people must be keen when planting them. Choose wisely and allow the fauna to benefit. When grown to a good height, try to make some improvements so that the wildlife enjoys and benefits. On the sides, leave some spaces to act as corridors. By doing this, you get something that looks beautiful and also becomes part of the fauna.
Exploring The Benefit Of Hedges To Birdlife
One can’t place a value on beauty and purpose when it comes to nature. Everything has a purpose and function when dealing with the aspects of the great outdoors. Sometimes, those things which appear to have the least amount of significance, is what others need the most. No one takes the time to look at the benefit of hedges to birdlife, when they observe these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Hedgerows are very significant when it comes to wildlife. It is known that they support 80 percent of birds from the woodland, not to mention about half of mammals and over 25 percent of butterflies. Ditches and banks that are commonly linked to hedges provide a place for reptiles, frogs, and other amphibians to live. The maintenance of hedge heights is of extreme importance, because they support many types of birds and their dwelling tendencies. For example, blackbirds and greenfinches may rest above ground level, while robins, whitethroats, and wrens nest on lower levels. Birds such as grey partridges use grass from the bottom of the hedgerow in which to rest. Managing a hedgerow with a grassy verge at the bottom is very important. It provides a grassy cover for all animals. Field margins and hedgerows with grassy bottoms are of extreme importance because they provide insect larvae for baby birds to feed upon as well as nesting material. All types of wild flowers and grass grow on a hedge and helps to conceal nests from approaching predators. During the winter months, hedgerows serve as roosting and feeding sites for local bids and visiting birds such as the redwing. Hedges that provide plenty of cover and material for birds are the best. However, there should be a variety of shapes and sizes that extend to woody areas. Hedgerows that contain a large number of woody species are good because they can support more birds. Trees such as the oak are excellent because they also support a huge variety of insects and are amazing as song posts. Trees that are older in nature have lots of wholes which provide places of rest for bats, owls, and kestrels. Dead timber is an excellent source of food for insects and are usually left in the hedges. It is better when there is a huge variety of trees and shrubs. Nectar is provided by different species of flowers that also attract more insects, which of course, attracts more birds. These flowers will also supply a lot of berries that will attract other wild life. Hedges are so very important because it provides a wonderful habitat for birds. It provides, food, safety, as well as shelter. Depending upon the seasons, many different types of birds will become regular visitors and eventually build their own residence. Also, the more birds that are attracted, the more one can learn and observe the different variety of birds right in one’s own backyard. Hedges not only are of value to birds, insects, and amphibians, but are also a great source of education for the human species.
Blackthorn Hedges in Lancashire
Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, is a truly exquisite plant. You don’t usually discover it in towns, where its sucker production can affect gardens and flower beds, I presume. These attributes make it a great hedge plant however, regardless of the fact that the large, sharp thorns can make it agonizing to lay. They’re significantly more agonizing than Hawthorn spines and will pierce any gloves, making cuts that regularly turn septic. Some people I know in Lancashire don’t care for Blackthorn in enclosure fences as they stress its thorns will harm their livestocks eyes. Being a member of the Prunus family it produces a fruit called the sloe. Local birdlife appears to like Blackthorn sloes and there is also the possibility of creating sloe gin, a rather tasty liquor. In order to get the best out of the Blackthorn sloes the trick is to pick the sloes after they’ve been iced by a nice heavy frost. Blackthorn is a plant rich in mythology, as all these old local species seem to be. It was firmly connected with Hawthorn, and both plants were said to have been used for the crown of thistles. Witches’ wands were supposedly made of it, but more importantly Blackthorn wood is hard and generally utilized for walking sticks or clubs. Its has a beautiful clear white bloom which develops in the early Spring and has a nice light fragrance. The early development of the Balckthorn bloom is beneficial to honey bees, which is the reason a lot of people in Lancashire and beyond prize it, as it is well in advance of the bloom of another local Prunus, Myrobalan. Beekeepers realize that when the Blackthorn bloom is out they can quit stressing over their bumble bees starving. It’s a brilliant plant for local wildlife; a thorny asylum for feathered creatures and warm blooded animals alike. It also provides sustenance for Hairstreak butterflies (among other lepidoptera), who lay their eggs on it. These important factors should be more than enough to encourage people to support and plant Blackthorn hedges wherever possible. Fortunately, even in the most ideal conditions, it won’t develop to be a major tree – thus making it a low maintenance option. It’s a tough and rugged plan which can grow in any position or soil, you can even see specimens half way up a mountain. I would love to see Blackthorn planted as frequently in single species hedgerows as its better supported sister, the universal Hawthorn. See if you can help and start a Blackthorn hedge today.
