Aims
- Determine the extent and make up of the boroughs hedgerows and green lanes
- To increase appreciation of the biological and historical importance of these features
- To increase the amount of hedgerow planting within the borough
- To promote appropriate management of hedgerows and green lanes
Introduction
Nationally over 600 plant, 1,500 insect, 65 bird and 20 mammal species are known to live or feed in hedgerows. A hedgerow is a boundary structure that shares characteristics of both woodland edge and scrub habitats. Green Lanes are old tracks that evolved before the formal road system, and because they have been largely unmodified, still retain some of their physical, biological or archaeological features.
Hedgerows were originally used as field dividers because they were cheaper than fences or walls and were self renewing. Although some hedgerows date from Roman times, most were established between the middle ages though to the1860 enclosure movements.
Hedgerows growing along parish boundaries, farm and drove roads may include remnants of the ancient wildwood. Trees and shrubs in ancient hedgerows may be important in maintaining genetic diversity.
The special value of both hedgerows and green lanes is that they provide a haven from the tidiness of the street scene and gardens. Without these hedgerow trees, bramble and nettle patches, animals and plants would not be able to move around the borough so freely. They also support large numbers of aphid predators and provide a free source of biological control to nearby gardeners.
They form refuges for tree sparrow, whitethroat, shrew and hedgehog by offering shelter from predators (especially cats), refuge from the elements, and food. They also provide over wintering, breeding structures and food for invertebrates such as stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and cobweb beetle. The woodland edge characteristics typical of green lanes and hedgerows provide valuable food plants can for butterflies.
Current Status
Hedgerows are numerous throughout the borough, however many of these are small residential boundaries often comprised of exotic cultivars and are therefore of less value for biodiversity. The largest and most valuable wildlife hedgerows tend to be found in the north and associated with earlier landscape features. Examples of older hedgerows or remnant hedgerows can be found in Larkshall Road, Chestnuts Field, Kimberley Road, and Harold Road. The Waltham Forest Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership has started mapping hedgerow locations and hedgerow types. Additions are welcome. Oak (Quercus robur), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and elm (Ulmus) predominate in older hedgerows, along with hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Lines of mature oak and ash are often the only remnants of ancient hedgerows. In urban areas there is a tendency to plant quick growing exotic or cultivated varieties such as privet (Ligustrum lucidum) or Leyland cypress (X Cupressocyparis leylandii), which support fewer species yet provide winter shelter.
Most of the Green Lanes in Waltham Forest such as Organ Lane and Mays Lane are old drove roads. They are wide tracks that may have a hedgerow or scrub along one or both sides. Found predominantly over the clay soils typical species found here include elm (Ulmus), sycamore (Acer campestre), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), cow parsley (Anthiscus sylvestris), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), bramble (Rubus sp.), knapweed (Centauria sp.), and ivy whilst willowherb (Epilobium angustifolium) and carex sp. occur in damper areas. Suburban gardens back onto the lanes and garden escapees such as travellers joy (Clematis aristata) and spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) are common.
Specific factors affecting the habitat
Loss of habitat
Nationally huge losses of hedgerows have been recorded, primarily as a result of agricultural change, although neglect has also led to the demise of many hedgerows. Waltham Forest now contains no agricultural land and hedgerow loss is due to neglect or development.
Many hedgerows in the borough were fragmented by development in the 1930's or before. There has been a recent trend for removing urban hedges to provide off street parking. There have been isolated attempts to extend gardens into green lanes.
Lack of awareness
Hedgerows need to be maintained by regular cutting or laying. In the urban landscape the original purpose of the hedgerow is lost and most hedgerows have become scattered shrubs and trees, losing many of their landscape and wildlife benefits. They may also be threatened by overzealous tidying or application of herbicides in adjoining gardens.
Disease
A large percentage of the boroughs hedgerows contained elm. Dutch elm disease has killed most of the mature elms in the borough and reduced many hedgerows to rows of suckering elm.
Dumping
Green Lanes are threatened by dumping of garden refuse which can introduce exotic species.
Insensitive management
Green Lanes can also form effective green routes for cyclists and walkers, which should be encouraged, however insensitive or inappropriate resurfacing, clearance work, or lighting could adversely affect biodiversity.
Current Action
Legal status
For centuries hedgerows have played a role as administrative or land ownership boundaries. It can often be difficult to determine which of the adjacent landowners owns the hedge.
In Waltham Forest it is estimated that 70% of hedges are in private ownership, 30% are in land owned by the Local Authorities and the Corporation of London.
Organ Lane and Mays Lane are owned by the Corporation of London, however Waltham Forest as the Highways Authority is responsible for the Public Footpaths. Both Organ Lane and Mays Lane are designated as Public Footpaths, so to some extent their location is protected. Organ Lane and Mays Lane are also designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance in the Boroughs Unitary Development Plan.
New Hedgerow Regulations were introduced in 1997,making it an offence remove an important hedgerow'. This legislation is rarely applied to urban hedgerows and Waltham Forest has been protected in this way.
Hedgerows can be protected by Tree Preservation Orders. Permission must be sought from the local authority to remove hedgerow trees in Conservation Areas.
Protected species found in hedges are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Article 10 of the Habitats Directive places a "duty to preserve" target species.
Management and restoration
The Corporation of London carry out occasional clearance work on the lanes. Part of Organ Lane has been surfaced by the Council to improve access, which has changed the nature of the Lane.
There are new plans to surface other parts of the lane, and a consultation exercise has been undertaken to ensure work is compatible with the landscape and ecology of the lane.
Hedgerows are both planted and managed on an ad hoc basis by the council and some local residents. New hedgerows are frequently incorporated into the landscaping of new developments, although these hedgerows are rarely native.
Key Species
Birds - tree sparrow, song thrush, whitethroat
Mammals - pipistrelle bat, hedgehog and common shrew
Insects - greater stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), jewel beetle (agarilus latiornus, Volucella zonaria (a hoverfly)
Plants- oak (Quercus robur), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), field maple (Acer campestre)
Objectives, Action and Targets
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Map native hedges in borough with public surveys; collect info on age and species, and need for management | 2004 | WFBAPP | Tree Wd. Residents |
| Establish which hedgerows are old field boundaries | 2004 | WFBAPP |
Historical Society |
| Draw up a management prescription for the boroughs Green Lanes | 2003 | C of L |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Following on from survey, identify 1 hedgerow per year to gap up/coppice/lay as necessary | 2005 | LBWF | Landowners/residents |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 5 year strategic hedgerow planting plan to improve links between hedgerows and green space | 2005 | OSFG | WFBAPP |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aim to cover valuable remnant hedgerow trees with TPO's | 2004 | LBWF | |
| Encourage developers to plant native hedgerows in landscaping schemes by the use of conditions | 2003 | LBWF | Developers |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Produce guidance note for householders about hedge planting and management | 2005 | WFBAPP | Garden centre |
| At least 1 press release per year on the importance of hedgerows and hedgerow management | 2002 | LBWF | WFBAPP |
| Produce leaflet for distribution to all householders backing onto green lanes with information on the importance of green lanes, and outline measures which they can undertake as gardeners to minimise damage to the habitat | 2003 | WFBAPP | C of L |
| Put HAP on website | 2003 | LBWF |
