  |
A new hedgerow, 'The Jubilee Hedge', was planted along the
border of the meadow nearest to Plants Brook by a group of Friends
during the workdays from December 2002 to March 2003. Despite
difficult ground and weather conditions, and a temporary flood
along part of the hedgerow, all the plants were set in before the
start of the new growth. Over 250 plants, provided by the Trustees
or grown by the Friends, were used to create the hedge. About half
are Hawthorn, with the remainder made up of a random mixture of
Blackthorn, Dog Rose, Guelder Rose, Field Maple and Holly, all
plants common in British hedgerows.
| Botanical names of the plants in
the Jubilee Hedge |
| Hawthorn |
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. |
| Blackthorn |
Prunus spinosa L. |
| Dog Rose |
Rosa canina agg. |
| Guelder Rose |
Viburnum opulus L. |
| Field Maple |
Acer campestre L. |
| Holly |
Ilex aquifolium L. |
Most plants survived, some species better than others, Holly
being the exception with the greatest loss. This could have been
caused by the damp soil conditions not being ideal for the
species. It has now grown into a tall hedgerow, a valuable new
wildlife habitat at New Hall Mill. Except for a small amount of
necessary management, it has been left to grow naturally.
Top photograph: June 2003, bottom photograph: June 2013 |
