The Brief:

To plant the central farm track, called Five Ways, with native deciduous tree species which will grow and form a lasting hedge.

Trees and hedges are essential components of any healthy farm. The concept of the farm as a self-sustaining organism is one of the central ideas in biodynamic agriculture. There is a long list of benefits that trees and hedges bring to our ecosystem.

In winter 2019, Plaw Hatch began planting a new hedge row along the main farm track. Receiving funding from Sussex Lund, a conservation project administered by the High Weald AONB Partnership to provide funds for projects that increase the natural ecosystem in Sussex, made this possible, and it is a project we wish to continue and focus on to promote the most biodiverse ecosystem we can on the farm.

In early spring 2021, the project continued, with a further 300 trees being planted along Glasshouse Field, further down the main farm track. This is an area of special interested in the ecology of the farm, as it is an intersection between many habitats, including the woods, garden, and pastures. Bats can often be found hunting along the line of scrub at dusk, and many species of beetles, solitary bees, bumblebees, butterflies, shieldbugs and ladybirds have been observed here. The new hedge will provide shelter, food and habitat for these many and varied species, as well as providing a corridor for them to move through the landscape.

Winter/19:

In winter 2019, a protective fence was put in place This was followed by a community hedge planting, laying the initial section of the track.

SPRING/21:

The Farm Team planted an addition 300 trees, lining Glasshouse Field, further along the track on the other side.

OUTCOME:

As the hedge grows, it will provide habitat for native flora and fauna, as well as providing a nature corridor between habitats on the farm.