£17.22
info Summary
This Capital Grant item, BN7 Hedgerow gapping-up, supports the restoration of continuous hedgerow boundaries by planting gaps, providing new habitats and food sources for wildlife, and helping to capture carbon.
format_list_bulleted What to do
- Carry out work when the hedge is dormant (usually 1 November to 31 March).
- Prepare a planting strip at least 1.5m wide with good soil conditions, clearing existing vegetation.
- Prevent livestock and grazing animals from damaging the hedge by setting fencing at least 1.2m from the hedge centre.
- Remove individual guards and tree shelters once plants are established.
- Replace all failed plants in the following planting season.
- Apply herbicide only to the 1.5m strip in August or September before planting to spot treat specific weeds (broad-leaved dock, creeping/field thistle, curled dock, giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, ragwort, rhododendron, spear thistle).
- Ensure plants are 2-year-old transplants, between 450mm and 600mm high, and native species (no single species >70%).
- Plant in 2 staggered rows 40cm apart with at least 6 plants per metre.
- Keep plants clear of weeds until established.
- Do not obstruct or block entry points to open access land.
schedule When to do
- Carry out work when the hedge is dormant (usually between 1 November and 31 March).
- Apply any herbicide to the 1.5m strip in August or September before planting.
- Replace all failed plants in the following planting season.
checklist How to do
- Prepare a planting strip at least 1.5m wide with good soil conditions, clearing existing vegetation.
- Prevent livestock and grazing animals from damaging the hedge by setting fencing at least 1.2m from the centre of the hedge.
- Apply mulch (woodchip or bio-wool weed-matting) to control competitive weeds as an alternative to herbicides.
- Ensure plants are 2-year-old transplants, between 450mm and 600mm high, and native species (no single species >70%).
- Plant in 2 rows 40cm apart that are staggered with at least 6 plants per metre.
- Keep plants clear of weeds until they are established.
description Evidence Required
You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.
You must also keep and provide on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- the date, location and method of any weed control carried out
- the dates of planting
- details of age, height and species planted
- a photograph of each length of hedge entered into the item before work starts
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.
If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.
tips_and_updates Additional Advice
- Plant in November, unless the ground is frozen/waterlogged (plant when favourable), planting in clay (plant in March), or planting into a newly-restored earth bank (plant following autumn).
- For successful gapping-up, prepare the ground (friable soil, clear of growth), plant native local species, and care for roots by keeping them covered.
- Control competitive weeds (brambles, nettles, grasses) during the first growing season.
- Fence off plants if livestock graze, ensuring enough space for 1.5m hedge width.
- Consider rabbit netting if rabbits or hares are a problem.
- Avoid using spiral guards.
View Official Guidelines
Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website