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Hedgerows: Bringing the Countryside to the City - Part 2
By Maria MacRae
Tips for Creating a Wildlife-friendly Hedgerow
Planning
- The ideal hedgerow is at least three metres wide and made up of two to three rows of vegetation. On smaller properties, a single row is still effective.
- Examine the site. Determine the light, soil and moisture conditions of the area where the hedgerow will go. Choose plants that are appropriate for these conditions.
- Determine the ideal height for your hedgerow, considering overhead utility lines and other limitations, and choose plants according to their height and width at maturity.
- Choose native species as they are best adapted to the local climate, require less care, and provide the best food and shelter for wildlife.
- Combine the use of both trees and shrubs for maximum wildlife benefit.
- Choose plants that provide a diversity of fruit, nuts and seeds for wildlife.
- Add in evergreens, such as cedar, for winter protection and as a winter wind barrier.
- If young children are not a concern, consider adding thorny species to provide shelter and nesting sites for birds.
Planting
- The best time to plant is early spring, especially if you will be planting bare root stock.
- You can start site preparation in the fall. Till the length of the row(s) and add organic matter such as compost or composted manure to enrich the soil.
- Start with some fast-growing species, such as willows, for quick coverage.
- Add in slower-growing, more long-lived species so they can be established by the time the fast growing species are starting to die out.
- For a more natural look, don’t plant in a regulated fashion—that is, vary the space between trees.
- Leave space between the trees to allow them to grow to their full size Fill the space between with shrubs.
- Spacing between shrubs depends on how quickly you would like your hedgerow to establish. For fast results shrubs can be planted at up to three to four shrubs per metre. However, this may require thinning later on. Shrubs planted at about one per metre will eventually form a solid wall but it may take many years. Consider the width at maturity of whatever shrub you are planting. (For example, a shrub that reaches three metres wide at maturity will expand out 1.5 metres in any direction. If you plant it one metre from the next shrub the two shrubs will be touching when they are mature. Depending on the type of shrub, its size when planted and the site conditions, this may take several years to achieve.
- The hedgerow should not have any gaps once established.
- Mulch between rows to control competing vegetation until the trees and shrubs are well established.
Maintenance
- Water new shrubs and trees regularly until established.
- Once established, allow woodland groundcover species, such as ferns, bunchberry, or foamflower, to grow in the shade and native perennials to establish themselves in sunnier spots.
- Add a vine or two as space allows to enhance wildlife shelter. Heavier species, such as wild grape, American bittersweet or Virginia creeper, may require pruning to prevent them from taking over.
- Replace shrubs and trees as they start to decline or die out.
- Leave dead wood, leaves and other plant litter as cover for small mammals and insects.
- Leave standing dead trees as nesting sites where possible. If they cause a safety concern, remove them and replant.
- Minimize pruning where possible. If you need to prune, consider the best timing according to the specific shrub or tree species, that is, don’t interfere with flowering or fruiting. Don’t prune in spring or early summer when birds are nesting.
- Avoid the use of pesticides.
Part 1: Introduction
Part 3: Some Trees, Shrubs and Vines with Wildlife Benefit
Images: Sarah Coulber |
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