Flailing hedges

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Flailing hedges
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jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 10:44 pm Post subject: Flailing hedges
I hate it. But I need some facts and figures to back up why it isn't a good idea. I'm going to start by searching the lepidoptera sites, but any other data would be gratefully received and used.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:14 pm Post subject:
Sure I read some place that even though it looks really bad that it actually encourages growth & makes the hedge stronger & is better than cutting with a sharp pair of secateurs or hedge cutters. I did a google for flail hedge cutting good or bad Came up with a few good links

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:19 pm Post subject:
These hedges are not field boundaries that contain stock. In fact, they are more wood edges than hedges. I want to remove individual trees to open up the woodland at the edge of the paths. The trees in question are mostly blackthorn and really are quite vigorous! I will get photos to explain.

frewen

Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Posts: 11405

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:22 pm Post subject:
Brown hairstreak - Page 3 ? any good?

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:24 pm Post subject:

frewen wrote:

Brown hairstreak - Page 3 ? any good?

Should there be a link? We have brown hairstreaks.

frewen

Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Posts: 11405

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:26 pm Post subject:
Gah - try again Frewen 2008 so not totally up to date but ... https://www.southwales-butterflies.org.uk/_newsletters/BCSWNewsletterSpring2008.pdf

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:28 pm Post subject:
That is ideal! Thank you very much

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9725
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 11 11:47 pm Post subject:
is it the method then.. or the fact it is cut at all ...that you object to?

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 9:52 am Post subject:
The method. The fact that it is so destructive of the local insect populations. (and the fact that it looks like a war zone.) Not saying nothing needs doing, but thinning, coppicing, proper hedge laying would be my methods of choice.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 9:58 am Post subject:
We had ours done 2 years ago - it was carnage. I was horrified. Now it has thickened up and looks lovely again. On reflection, it did need it, but I had to sit in the other side of the house, and cried when they did it.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 10:09 am Post subject:
Get a quote in for both methods. Then you will see one of the reasons why they use a flail. It might look brutal but it is a tried & tested method that works if done properly.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9725
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 10:17 am Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

The method. The fact that it is so destructive of the local insect populations. (and the fact that it looks like a war zone.)

Not saying nothing needs doing, but thinning, coppicing, proper hedge laying would be my methods of choice.

I think the impact on nature is the same however it is done?

I also prefer a hedge to be done the old way, and that's what we are doing to our own hedges.. but believe me it is time consuming. who owns the hedge you are concerned about?

IMO it is much better to cut a hedge mechanically than to neglect them altogether. A neglected hedge eventually means no hedge.. and that has a negative result for nature.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45474
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 10:19 am Post subject:

colour it green wrote:

IMO it is much better to cut a hedge mechanically than to neglect them altogether. A neglected hedge eventually means no hedge.. and that has a negative result for nature.

Yup, and in most cases that means a flail because the clippings are pretty much mulched. We've invested in a cutter because we don't have to worry about loose branches lying around

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 12:45 pm Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

Get a quote in for both methods.

Then you will see one of the reasons why they use a flail. It might look brutal but it is a tried & tested method that works if done properly.

The traditional method would cost nothing but time. But it won't be my time which is why I need some good ecological arguments. Aesthetic grounds will help too. The flailing would have to be done by a contractor.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Sep 18, 11 12:49 pm Post subject:

colour it green wrote:

but believe me it is time consuming. who owns the hedge you are concerned about?

I know it's time consuming, I've done plenty myself in the past. I am a trustee for the land involved.

This is one of the areas under discussion.

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