23/02/18 Hedge-cutting season comes to an end

A roadside hedgerow near St. Johnston.  The cutting of hedges from the end of February until the start of September is not permitted under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 except for reasons of public health and safety. 

Almost two-thirds of Ireland’s bird species nest in hedges and these hedgerows provide natural corridors that permit wildlife to move between habitats so from the end of February until the start of September hedge-cutting is not permitted.  The closed season on hedge-cutting, adopted under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, recognises the importance of conserving hedgerows and other vegetation for breeding birds and other animals and plants.  Public works involving the disturbance of hedgerows during this period may only be carried out for reasons of public health and safety. 

“Hedgerows are distinctive features of our landscape in County Donegal,” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.  “Hedges and other wild vegetation provide food and shelter for insects, birds and other animals.  Donegal County Council recognises the importance of maintaining hedgerows as part of wise conservation of our natural heritage, good farming practice and protecting County Donegal’s natural and picturesque beauty.”  Controversial amendments to the closed season on hedgecutting are currently under consideration by the Dáil.  The amendments proposed in the Heritage Bill 2016 would allow for the burning of vegetation during the month of March and the cutting of roadside hedges during the month of August.  The proposed Heritage Bill is still under consideration and has not been enacted. 

Under the County Donegal Heritage Plan, Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council commissioned a survey of hedgerows in County Donegal that provided baseline data on the extent, composition, structure, condition and management of hedgerows in County Donegal.  It is estimated that hedgerows cover approximately 1.5% of the land area of Ireland and that there are 10,408 kilometres of hedgerows in County Donegal.  Irish hedgerows are home to almost 40 species of trees and shrubs.  In County Donegal, five main hedgerow types were identified:

Ash, Hawthorn and Blackthorn with Holly and Gorse: this type was the most common of all hedgerows surveyed;

Beech, sometimes observed around existing or abandoned buildings;

Eared Willow, Rusty Willow and Gorse: this type was the most species-rich hedge type;

Hawthorn, Gorse and Rusty Willow: this hedgerow type was the second most species-rich type; and

Cotoneaster, Fuchsia and Privet, often around existing and abandoned dwellings.  

The study found that 7% of hedgerows are either remnant or derelict with a further 40% of hedgerows losing structure meaning that they are not in a favourable condition for fulfilling their role in providing wildlife habitats and stock–proof barriers. 

If you would like to find out more about the wise management of hedgerows, The Heritage Council has produced a booklet with advice on best conservation practice and on planting native species.  Copies of the booklet entitled Conserving Hedgerows/Caomhnú Fálta are available free-of-charge from the County Donegal Heritage Office on (074) 917 2576 or by e-mail at:  [email protected].  The Hedgerow Survey of County Donegal can be found here.