Contents
Introduction
A key characteristic of Cornwall’s landscape is its pattern of hedges. These are culturally and environmentally important to Cornwall. They need protection and good management in order to thrive. In Cornwall agricultural fields are largely bounded by Cornish hedges or planted/grown hedgerows. These may or may not grow above an earth bank.
In urban areas and around our gardens we find hedgerows and Cornish hedges planted with more ornamental non native species. Occasionally issues can be caused between neighbours due to varying requirements or neglect. Please view the high hedges page for advice on the issues and potential solutions.
Cornish hedges
A Cornish hedge is a boundary structure distinctive to Cornwall. They are typically two independent stone walls to either side of a rab and earth core. Traditionally the stone used to construct these hedges relates to the geology of the local area. This is what makes them so locally distinctive. There are over 30,000 miles of Cornish hedges across Cornwall forming our largest semi-natural habitat. The majority are medieval in origin, and some were first laid out in prehistory.
- What is a Cornish hedge
- The value of a Cornish hedge
- Cornish hedges and local distinctiveness
- Cornish hedges and development
- Cornish hedges and the Hedgerows Regulations
- What to plant on a Cornish hedge
- Cornish hedges: further information
Hedgerows
A hedgerow is generally understood to be a boundary line of trees or shrubs which tend to be over 20m long and less than 5m wide at the base. The line of trees and shrubs must, at one time, have been more or less continuous. An earth banks with no stone on either side are less common, and are usually planted with native shrubs.
