Managing Hedges in the National Landscape
The National Landscape has around 78 miles or 126 kilometres of hedgerow. They are found predominantly in the lower-lying areas of farmland, in particular the eastern fringe of the National Landscape in the Yealands, Warton and Beetham, along the A6 corridor. Smaller lengths of hedgerows can also be found around Arnside and Silverdale villages as well.
Hedgerow Wildlife
Hedgerows are vitally important for wildlife as they provide physical homes, food, shelter and are a route of passage for wildlife connecting up the landscape. Over 500 plant species, 60 species of nesting bird, many hundreds of invertebrates and almost all of our native small mammal species have been recorded as being supported by hedgerows.
Hedgerow Threats
Like almost everywhere in Britain, many miles of hedges were taken out during the agricultural improvements following the Second World War. This largely stopped when the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations gave legal protection to most hedges. However, hedgerows are still at risk for numerous reasons. These include:
- Degradation through neglect whereby the hedgerow may grow out into a line of trees or a hedgerow becomes gappy
- Mismanagement through excessive flailing causing a loss of woody species and loss of structure
- Fertilisers use reduces opportunities for flowering plants which are outcompeted by nettles and cleavers
Good Management Practices
Hedgerows require a dynamic management approach with the ultimate goal being a thick, dense hedgerow which has high wildlife value and provides benefits to people as well. To achieve a healthy hedgerow different management techniques need to be applied including:
- Cutting hedgerow gradually higher and wider through incremental cutting i.e. cutting about 10cm higher and wider than the previous trimline
- Trimming at the best time for nature whenever possible, ideally in January or February. This leaves many of the wild berries and fruit available for wildlife over winter
- Cutting hedgerows in rotation every two or three years allowing for greater flower and fruit abundance with the added benefit of reducing workload on land managers
- Planting up gaps to create one continuous hedgerow
- Laying or coppicing an old or degraded hedgerow to allow for new growth and a denser canopy
- Care for hedgerow trees as they provide fantastic opportunities for wildlife. Retain old, mature trees as well as select young trees within the hedge, that are not cut or laid, to recruit as new hedgerow trees or plant new trees with the hedgerow
Hedgerow Survey
In 2025, the National Landscape team conducted a landscape wide survey to document the extent and condition of hedgerows within the area, with the last landscape wide survey completed in 2010.
The surveys mapped hedgerow extent, as well as other basic parameters such as hedgerow condition and structure, height, width and number of hedgerow trees.
Following the surveys the total length of hedgerows with the National Landscape was 126.02km.
Split across the various parishes the total lengths are as follows:
- Arnside: 14.59km
- Beetham: 28.84km
- Silverdale: 9.06km
- Warton: 23.75km
- The Yealands: 49.75km
Around 30% of all hedgerows within the National Landscape are well managed. 39% of hedgerows were found to be in an over-trimmed condition though simple management changes could bring these hedgerows back into better overall condition.
Other key information was found including the planting of 8.1km of new hedgerows and 4.9km of hedgerows having been laid within the past 5 years. 20% of all hedgerows were found to have at least one hedgerow tree along their length, or in other words a tree every 63m within a hedgerow.
Managing Drystone Walls
[coming soon]