Hedge Code
Helping you plant, retain and rejuvenate your hedgerows—part of Ireland’s natural heritage—vital for our health, well-being and wildlife!
Join our hedgerow conservation campaign—the Hedge Code. It is inspired by the success of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan which has transformed the way individuals, councils, and businesses manage their land for pollinators.
Hedge Code
Helping you plant, retain and rejuvenate your hedgerows—part of Ireland’s natural heritage—vital for our health, well-being and wildlife!
Planting Hedgerows
Plant native, pollinator-friendly trees of Irish provenance.
Plant whips every 30cm in two staggered rows with a 40cm gap.
Maintain a 1-2 metre hedge margin for wildlife.
Managing Hedgerows
Only lay or trim hedges from Sep-Feb, ideally later in the season.
Lightly trim hedges in an A-shape every 3-4 years.
Trim for road safety and visibility at dangerous bends or junctions.
Lay hedges on a 15-20 year cycle to retain wildlife habitat.
Avoid use of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers (including slurry).
Coppice and replant gappy hedges.
Sustainably Harvesting Hedgerows
Use wood from coppicing and laying for wildlife log piles and fuel.
Gather seeds, nuts and berries for propagating trees and making syrups, teas and preserves.
Leave plenty of nuts and berries on hedges as food for wildlife.
We encourage any individual or organisation that has a hedgerow to become a Hedge Code supporter. It will publicly demonstrate your commitment to hedgerow conservation in Ireland and help to frame your biodiversity strategies.
Sign Up as a Hedge Code Supporter
We will periodically check in with supporters on their progress.
156 Supporters
have signed up for the Hedge Code. Sign up now using the form above!