Hedge numbers in the east grow to 20,000

Tuesday 29 December 2020

10 miles of hedgerow have sprouted in the island, after 20,000 hedging plants and trees were planted from St. Martin to Grouville.

The National Trust for Jersey’s project began in 2019, and continued from October of this year, restoring the landscape and providing habitat for local species across the Eastern parishes.

Staff from The Jersey Royal Company took part in the efforts - after completing their initial isolation and testing requirements - linking up existing hedging and trees with new corridors.

The new part of this work was funded by the Countryside Enhancement Scheme, with the Environment Department, and the Roy Overland Charitable Trust funding management costs.

The seeds of this idea will continue to sprout in early 2021 with another 4,500 hedging whips to be planted. The Trust has committed to care for the newly planted whips for at least 2 years as maintenance is vital to ensure the success of the planting.

A fund has been kept separate from National Trust donations, and people are invited to donate to the campaign by giving £5 per metre of planting.

Pictured: The amount of hedgerow planted goes up to 10 miles.

In addition, another initiative will see hedging plants and trees that did not survive the summer replaced.

“Aftercare is crucial to ensure the numerous lengths of hedgerow are not smothered by undergrowth and lost for ever," Conrad Evans, the Hedge Fund Coordinator said.

“It is a big commitment and I would always advise people to ensure enough time is devoted to take care of what has been planted otherwise time and resources are easily wasted.”

Charles Alluto, CEO of The National Trust for Jersey, added: “It is amazing that the Trust has managed to plant 40,000 hedging plants equivalent to 20 miles of hedgerow over the last 18 months.

“This is down to the commitment and support of our funding partners, our donors, The Jersey Royal Company, land owners, our hedgerow co-ordinator and our band of volunteers who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic.

“These hedgerows are a legacy to all of the above for helping us to care and restore Jersey’s rural agricultural landscape. We are enormously grateful to one and all."