Discover Suffolk's Hedgerows
View or download the following Hedgerow GIS datasets as PDF maps
Individual parish maps
Lidar-derived tree canopy cover by parish
- % land area
- % land area woodland broadleaf trees
- % land area woodland conifer trees
- % land area non-woodland trees
- % land area scrub trees
Hedgerow quality
- % land area which is hedge tree canopy
- % non-woodland tree canopy which is hedge trees
- % total boundary length which is gap
- % total boundary length which is treed
- % tree canopy which is hedge trees
- density of field boundaries
- mean % boundary which is gap
- mean % boundary which is treed
- mean height of treed lengths
- mean total tree volume
- mean tree volume per metre
- mean variation in tree height
Download the following GIS datasets as TAB or SHP format
- Hedgerows cut by Parish boundaries
- Hedgerows cut by Parish boundaries - gaps and treed sections
- Suffolk Parishes with hedgerow information
- Hedgerows, whole • Hedgerows, whole - gaps and treed sections
- Tree canopy polygons cut by Parish boundaries
- Suffolk Parishes with tree canopy information
- Tree canopy polygons, whole
- Hedge tree polygons
Read a Nature Notes article on hedgerows by Peter Vincent
Click the images below to read or download PDFs of the Priority Habitat Factsheet: Hedgerows and the Suffolk Hedgerow Survey 1998–2012
PTES shares why some hedgerows are better than others for wildlife
The more plant species found in a hedge, the greater the number of other species the hedge can support. Many plant-eating insects, for example, depend on a particular plant species, so the more different plants there are, the more potential for insect diversity.
Since different shrub species flower and fruit at different times, this diversity and a good spread of plant species extend the flowering and fruiting period, beneficial to nectar and pollen-feeding invertebrates, and thus to their predator species too!
Some species require the presence of just one shrub species to survive in a hedge, but others need several for different roles throughout their life. A good example is the thrush which nests in the shrubby structure of the hedge, sings from hedgerow trees, and hunts snails in the base of the hedge before swapping to berries later in the season. Read more...
Suffolk Naturalists Society: Into the Wild – Rewilding a Suffolk Farm
In January 2022, John gave up arable farming, and the entire farm was entered into a Natural England Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, the majority in wood pasture creation. His presentation will cover how he arrived at this decision, the thought process and the preparation behind it. John will talk about the first year’s experience, the surprises, the rewards and the hope for the future. View the presentation.
Operation Turtle Dove
Tall, dense mature scrub or hedgerows, especially those containing standard trees, thorny shrubs and climbers, are the perfect nesting place for the endangered Turtle Dove. Learn more about establishing a suitable nesting habitat.
Suffolk FWAG
As part of National Hedgerow Week 2021, three short films have been made promoting how farmers care for their hedges.
Seven ways to love your hedges
The shear joy of hedges
Hedgerows, a legacy
Other links
- Hedgelink, Hedgerow Hub – Good hedge management guide (PDF), Resources, Grants & funding: information on all aspects of hedgerow management
- People's Trust for Endangered Species – Hedgerows, Hedgerow management,
- Suffolk Wildlife Trust – Hedgerow Management, Hedgerow Planting, Habitat Explorer
- Dedham Vale – Hedgerows, the unsung heroes of the landscape
- National Trust – Hedgerow study using artificial intelligence to help National Trust bring back its ‘blooming boundaries’
- Buglife – advice on managing BAP habitats
- Buglife – Notable hedgerow invertebrates (pdf)
- CPRE – Hedgerows page
- Farm Wildlife – developed with farmers for farmers
- Suffolk Preservation Society – Hedgerow Heroes project
- Hedgerow Regulations – protects some hedgerows of archaeological, historical, landscape or wildlife value, administered by the Local Planning Authority
- JNCC – Habitat Description (pdf)
- MAGIC website – Interactive mapping information, including designations
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology – High-tech aerial mapping reveals England’s hedgerow landscape
- Making Space for Nature, a Review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network 16 Sep 2010. Chaired by Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS. Defra website (pdf)