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Worcestershire Hedgerows.

Hedges were originally planted to divide land, used for grazing and growing crops. Usually of Hawthorne, with Elm incorporated at intervals. The Saxons planted the first hedges; some thousand year-old hedges still remain today. The number of different species contained can roughly date hedges. For instance a Saxon hedge has about ten different species of shrubs per thirty yard’s.

In the eighteenth century open land was divided by enclosure act of Parliament, hedges were cheaper than building walls or fences.

After the Second World War, farmers began uprooting and destroying hedges, at an alarming rate, in order to allow bigger machinery on to the land. Since this time the rate of removal has declined.
When a hedge is uprooted, a wildlife haven is lost. Foxes, rabbits, badgers, mice and hedgehogs make their home in hedges. Many different species of birds live in hedges.

Garden hedges can provide a very efficient windbreak, as well as giving privacy, and reducing unwanted noise. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is used today as a hedging plant, and will make a thick hedge if planted twelve to eighteen inches apart. After first two years, clip annually. Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is similar to hornbeam, but has smoother leaves, it is cared for in the same way. The best evergreen hedge is provided by the common box, (Buxus sempervirens) planted eighteen inches apart, does well on any soil, and makes a dense hedge that will stand clipping well.
Another plant suitable for a dense impenetrable evergreen hedge, is the Ilex (Holly). Planted one and a half feet apart. They can be clipped in August or September. Will grow up to twenty feet tall.
Laurels are evergreen, and can be used for hedging or providing a screen. Care must be taken when clipping and this is best done with secateurs during the spring.
The fastest growing hedging plant is the Leyland cypress. It is evergreen. And will provide a good screen but needs to be kept under control, with clipping two or even three times in the summer.

Many other shrubs can be used for hedging; Berberis and Pyracantha make thick thorny evergreen hedges, also coteneaster is very useful for boundaries. All produce berries, upon which birds feed.
A hedge needs to be clipped regularly to maintain its shape. Which should be narrower at the top. Most hedges should be clipped twice a year once in spring and again in summer.