HEDGEHUNTER, the Irish-bred National Hunt horse won the Grand National at Aintree in April 2005. His schooling ground was over hunting fields of formidable hedges, point-to-point fences made up of natural birch and spruce and hurdle jumps made up of brushwood. It is fitting that as Cheltenham approaches Irish National Hunt graduates of those courses will once again delight the crowds. Isn’t it truly fitting that last year’s Cheltenham Hurdle winner Honeysuckle is odds-on favourite to win next Tuesday? God save the Irish hedge!

Ancient woodlands

UP to 12,000 years ago, Ireland was covered with snow and ice. When the ice receded, many seeds were carried from Great Britain (GB) and Europe. Ireland had a land bridge with GB and rest of Europe. However, when sea levels rose, Ireland was cut off from rest of mainland Europe; this is why native trees such as the strawberry tree found in Kerry, grows naturally in parts of the Mediterranean. Botanists have said the seeds may come to Ireland via land bridge from Brittany.

Irish hedges’ connection to our ancient woodlands

IRELAND was covered with native trees such as alder, strawberry tree, ash, aspen (native poplar), silver and downy birch, blackthorn, bramble, broom, buckthorn (viburnum), cherry (bird and wild), crab apple, dog rose, elderberry, gorse, guelder rose, hawthorn, hazel, honeysuckle, ivy, juniper, sessile and pedunculate oak, mountain ash, Scots pine, spindle, whitebeam, willow, witch elm and Irish yew. The leaves and berries of the yew tree are poisonous to animals and humans but are a source of food and shelter to birds.

SIx thousand years ago, forests started to disappear with the growth of blanket bogs and the development of farming. From 1556 -1690 large areas of land in Ireland were gifted to English, Welsh and Scottish property owners (plantation era). Large areas of forests were cleared to create agricultural land.

However, in the 18th and 19th century landlords were responsible for planting of estate type trees, some non-native, which still adorn our landscape today: lime, elm, red oak, horse chestnut (English and Spanish), sycamore, formidable red cedars and larch. Maple trees of imported varieties have also added colour and pattern to the Irish landscape.

Finian’s Rainbow

I RECENTLY spoke with Kilrickle farmer Finian Doyle, who was finishing his new hedge planting work along his field boundary. He told me: “My grandfather Paddy Doyle left a legacy of hedges planted in 1922. Farmers should be doing this each year.” Finian makes it his business to do just that, not only the regular species such as whitethorn but a mixture of species from alder, holly, birch, rowen and beech to add a bit of colour and diversity.

Several years back Finian had planted a tree and hedge shelterbelt made up of native species with alder forming the main framework of the hedge. He has great faith in his nursery supplier, Kearney Nurseries, which supplies him with quality native provenance produced trees and hedging. All plant seeds are Irish-grown with no imported pests or diseases.

Planting hedges like these on a much larger scale than the reaps and glas style hedge, protect farmland and community from damaging winds. These hedges create microclimates, which speed up grass growth in springtime.

Hedge Schools - Seats of Learning

‘Hedge schools’ took place outdoors next to or behind a hedgerow, but were also held in a house or barn. In the most humble of hedge schools, students were taught classes in Irish history, tradition, and ancestry, in spite of the Irish Penal Laws of 1695. These laws were to suppress the Irish Catholics from education and learning if they did not practise the new Protestant religion brought in under the reign of Henry 8th.

Nature corridors

PLANTING native shrub and trees species as shelter and feeding ground and ‘mini motorways’ for wildlife such as the Irish stoat, native black bee and bumble bee species, as well as our native Irish hedge birds. Of the 110 species of birds in Ireland, 35 nest in hedges. Species found in hedges include blackbird, song thrush, robin woodpigeon, chaffinches, bluet tits, bullfinches and gold crest and of course, the wren.

Of the 77 solitary bees, 21 bumblebees and one honeybee species, one third of our bee species are under threat of extinction. It is important to incorporate flowering hedges native and accessible to visiting insects and particularly bees. For instance, gorse and broom provide high value nectar as well as hazel, willow, whitethorn and blackthorn. By leaving at least a three-year gap between cutting hedgerows, (if at all) the hedge complete its cycle of flowering and fruiting.

Mammalian friends

ON my back door in Kilrickle, NUI Galway has conducted a stoat project which records activities of this protected mammal by recording its movements in the hedges of Lecarrownagappogue townland. Other mammals found in hedges are the hedgehog (grainneog), pigmy shrew, bats and sometimes (but hopefully not) the protected pine martin.

Agroforestry and diversification value

planting native deciduous trees alongside grazing animals; namely sheep, is the basis of the new Agroforestry Scheme. Up to 15% fruiting trees, e.g., apples, plums, walnut, hazel and cobnuts, are permitted under this DAFM grant aided scheme. Grant aid up to €6600/ha including fencing costs is attractive but only lasts for five years.

Planting dates

REAPS hedge and tree planting must be completed by 31st of March 2022, with photos submitted as proof via DAFM Agri Snap App.

For those farmers planting without grant aid, bare roots stock of hedging, trees the same dates apply but cold store hedging and trees are available after this period. Container trees are planted all year round but are more expensive.

Fines and penalties against damage and removal of hedges, trees

REMOVAL, cutting of trees and hedgerows and burning of waste branches is not permitted during bird nesting season under Section 22 of the NPWS Wildlife Act 1976, for periods between February 28th and September 1st. If burning of waste branches is needed, a permit must be approved by local county council. Large fines can be imposed for non-compliance.