08/02/2026
If you're in the vicinity of Hearn Field from tomorrow onwards, you might wonder what's happening to the roadside hedgerow at the Field.
Hedgerows are a beautiful and environmentally important part of our South Devon landscape. However, years of modern flail trimming have degraded their effectiveness and value for wildlife.
The hedge is now being layed in a traditional Devon style. To the untrained eye the initial work is quite startling. First a lot of excess material is removed, and then the remaining stems are almost completely cut through before being bent down to the ground. This invigorates the hedge causing many new shoots to form at intervals along each stem.
The final section of the hedge will be completed next year.
Thank you for taking an interest in hedge-laying at Hearn Field. We hope you notice the hedge becoming thicker and healthier, making it a better barrier and creating more habitat for wildlife. To find out more visit https://devonhedges.org/.
Hearn Field Working Group, Ground Maintenance Lead.
The Devon Hedge Group pulls together organisations and individuals across Devon. Our aim is to further appreciation and understanding of Devon’s hedges, and to provide guidance on their management and conservation…
