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There are some odd varieties for a hedge in the last 25%.
Hawthorn is a necessary requirement for any UK hedge,
and the haws offer Autumnal food to foraging birds and mammals.
Blackthorn offers, when mature, the prospect of sloes,
but with maturity comes the creeping menace of encroaching a yard per year through the root system. Your 'Nice Man' will (eventually) be busy removing suckers.
Thats a lot of Field Maple, but it is indigenous, but relatively shortlived, so will benefit from the invigoration of being laid/pleached every 7-10 years if you choose this method.I read the 'minimum of 5' as suggestions for standards, trees left to grow to (managed) maturity within the hedge.
Of these Spindle has some negatives: it is a host to blackfly. The fruit is the jewel of the English Autumn, but every part of it is toxic to humans. You've mentioned nieces.
Maybe sponsor a Spindle via your local Wildlife Trust.Not this year of course, but I normally have a day with my voluntary conservation group removing garden escape dogwood from the Chilterns.
You will probably end up with Elder in the hedge from bird droppings.
If you get the opportunity opt for myrobalan, hazel, alder (for the iridescent green beetles), wild pear and wild crabapple spaced along the hedge to become proper trees.If we ever get back to normal, you can organise, in 5-7 years a days hedgelaying for the Forum.
I'll be there.
(Edited: Alder has the iridescent green beetles).
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mespilus
fizzy.bleach
The hedge is dead, long live the hedge.
I had my old hedge at the front and side of the house removed the other day. No idea what it was, but it was straggly, neglected and infected with something nasty. So I need a new hedge.
Originally I was thinking privet, on the basis that I couldn't really be bothered to think about it. However, I've started thinking about it, and I'm now tempted by a mixed native hedge with allegedly bird-friendly qualities. The one I'm looking at is 25% Quickthorn (Hawthorn), 25% Blackthorn (Sloe), 25% Field Maple, with the remaining 25% (a minimum of 5) from Common Alder, Bird Cherry, Myrobalan Plum, Guelder Rose, Hazel, Dog Rose, Common Dogwood, Elder, Hornbeam, Wild Pear, Sweet Briar Rose, Spindle, Wild Crabapple.
Any advice as to whether this is a good or bad idea. Because frankly I haven't a bloody clue.
If it's relevant the hedge is about 24m long, in two sections, I don't want it too high (nipple height would be fine) and A Nice Man will be tending it for me so I don't have to.