BTCV Handbooks Online

Book:	How & Why
Chapter:	How to lay hedges
Section:	Project leader's notes
Metadata:	Details	Buy this book

Site visit

Visit the work site in advance to gain a clear idea of what you will be doing on the day.

Assess the suitability of the project for the group you will be leading and the time available.

Note the age and size of timber in the hedge and decide what cutting tools you will need. Check the source of staking and binding materials and determine what you will be doing with the trimmings and any rubbish. If using fires, let the local fire brigade know beforehand.

Undertake a risk assessment for both project and site.

Tools and equipment

Depending on the size of the team adjust the quantity of equipment taken to the site. Check the tools are in good condition before using them.

First aid kit
Heavy-duty leather gauntlets
Hard hats
Billhooks
1.5Kg axes
Loppers
Slashers
Canoe or cigar sharpening stones
Large and small bowsaws
Spades
Grubbing mattock
Mell or maul
Pitchforks
Polesaw
Basic fencing materials (for erecting temporary fences and removing remains of old ones)
One pair of fencing pliers
Hammer
Wrecking bar (crowbar)
Matches and firelighting equipment

Ensure all team members are wearing appropriate footwear and clothing and issue the specified safety equipment.

Introduction

Introduce the site, the work and the reasons for doing it.

Walk along the hedge line explaining what work will be undertaken. Identify potential hazards and describe how to work safely around them.

Point out: any technical problems; the different species in the hedge - particularly those useful for staking or binding materials; any trees to be left uncut.

Demonstrate tool use

Demonstrate and explain the safe use, carrying and on-site care of the tools before starting work.

Refer to the BTCV Hand Tools booklet.

Demonstrate work techniques

Demonstrate all work techniques. This will save mistakes and avoid accidents.

Demonstrate correct lifting technique (bending the knee and keeping the back straight so that the leg muscles are used and the back is not strained).

Start by laying a short section of hedge with everyone watching. When the fastest worker has completed a few metres call everyone together and demonstrate staking and binding. Then, when the first person completes his or her section, call everyone together and finish off by trimming.

Refer to the BTCV Basic Safety leaflet.

Organisation of team

Most of the group should be split into teams of two to lay the hedge. The others collect trimmings, look after the fire, cut and trim stakes and gather binding. Pair experienced and inexperienced volunteers.

Collection and burning of trimmings should be kept in balance with the work rate. Clear any backlog during a break or stop hedging and get everyone clearing for a while.

Everyone should get a chance at all jobs if possible. Swap people round at breaks if necessary. The leader or expert should work with each pair in turn, helping them and sorting out any problems.

Try to finish a certain length of hedge each day or each project, rather than leaving more started but unfinished.

Divide the hedge between pairs of workers. five to six metres per pair is a reasonable length for a day's work depending on conditions and the skill of the volunteers.

Everyone should lay in the same direction. Right-handed people find it easier to cut from the right and to lay to the left. Left-handed people might need to work from the opposite side of the hedge. On slopes start at the top and work down so that the pleachers are laid uphill.

If there is a ditch, work from the ditch side. If there is no ditch, work from the side less frequently stocked. Be particularly careful when working next to roads.

The leader should check, assist and encourage people and ensure work standards are maintained.