Learn how to lay a new hedgerow and how to look after an existing one 

Some of Ireland's hedgerows date back to the 1700s and 1800s — but we are in danger of dangerously neglecting them now, says Katie Smirnova, campaigns officer at Hedgerows Ireland 

'Patchwork quilt' fields bounded by thriving hedgerows. Hedgerows Ireland was founded in 2004 by a group of hedge layers and other interested individuals. It is a member of the Irish Environmental Network and the Environmental Pillar and also receives funding from the Heritage Council

Although some can be dated even earlier, most of Ireland’s hedgerows were planted during the 1700 and 1800s when landowners were obligated to plant permanent property boundaries. Hedgerows were made into impenetrable, long-living barriers through the practice of hedge laying which rejuvenates the trees to beyond their natural life-span.

However, their function of enclosing livestock is now often fulfilled by fences, leading to the current neglect of our hedgerows. The beautiful flowering native trees cris-crossing farms and urban areas are being taken out to re-structure or enlarge fields, and to build new developments.