Hedges are used in a variety of ways throughout the United Kingdom and can be found as natural boundary markers for fields and other land areas, as aesthetic items in gardens and also in landscaping in office and other commercial buildings. Looking after your hedges is extremely important not only for the aesthetics of the area and the impressions that this creates for visitors but also because over time, they will become a home and shelter as well as a food source for a number of different species of wildlife. If you have areas that have become difficult to manage or perhaps you no longer have the time to tend to them, it is best to contact a Grounds Maintenance Gloucestershire company like gloucestershiregroundsmaintenance.co.uk/services/grounds-maintenance who can take care of this for you.

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There are some incredible facts and statistics around the importance of hedges and hedgerows to wildlife.

• It is thought that hedges can provide over 80 percent of our birds, 50 percent of mammals and 30 percent of our butterflies a home, shelter and a food source. The area underneath the hedges also become home to retiles including toads and newts as well as slow worms.
• There are thought to be around 30 different species of birds that nest in hedgerows and this is one of the reasons why you should always inspect your hedges including the upper branches and the lower ground level areas as well, before cutting them to ensure than all eggs have hatched and that the fledglings have left the nest. If you are in any doubt as to what to do for the best, you should either contact an organisation such as the RSPB or seek the services of a professional grounds company who will be knowledgeable in these areas as well. You will also find that some birds such as redwings will use the hedgerows as both feeding sites and an option for shelter during the winter months.

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If you are looking to plant a hedge that will help support our local wildlife then you should consider options that provide plenty of cover both in terms of the leaves during the spring and summer and also a dense wooden area during the autumn and winter months. During the colder months you should also leave any dead wood as to becomes a food source for insects and a shelter material for birds and other mammals. This should be removed in the early part of spring before the nesting birds start to return.