Old hedge laid in Ashtead Woods Road
This Spring, the volunteers set about laying an old hedge in Ashtead Woods Road that is the boundary with Tomletts and Seamers fields. Having laid a blackthorn hedge in 2024/2025 (see below) we tackled this previously laid hedge that had been allowed to grow into trees in several places. It was tall and intertwined with thick bramble and was a beast to lay.
Three volunteers, newly qualified to use chainsaws, set about cutting the stems, many quite thick, and folding them down. Other volunteers then set about adding stakes and binding the top to form a secure barrier that is "horse proof". We used the Midlands style of binding which when finished resembles a thick rope-like structure.
Although we added extra volunteering sessions, we were unable to finish the whole hedge before having to stop due to bird nesting season. This 20 metre section will be laid in September/October this year (2026)
Blackthorn hedge laid
This was our first attempt at hedge laying. Previous hedge laying had been carried out by Surrey Hedgelayers during COVID when they were prevented from working elsewhere.
The hedge was a double layered hedge with blackthorn plants on both sides os a ditch. It was decided to coppice the inner hedge and lay the outer hedge. Over several sessions the volunteer team cut back the hedge and laid the outer layer, adding stakes and binders. Since it was laid, it has thrived and is greening-up nicely, and is already popular with birds and insects.