The Chiddingly landscape comprises a patchwork of open fields and woodland, including several large areas of ancient woodland. Hedgerows tie this landscape together, providing important habitats and acting as wildlife migration corridors. This page provides information about Greening Chiddingly projects funded by the Lund Trust that are working to improve landscape connectivity by restoring our woodland and hedgerow habitats.

Woodland restoration projects

Woodlands are home to a range of species, from shade-loving plants and nesting birds, to fungi and rare insects. Chiddingly Parish was more densely wooded in the past, but large areas of tree cover were removed during the expansion of farmland. Many of our projects aim to restore this lost woodland, through the planting of trees at the edge of existing woods and copses, along waterways and next to public rights of way. To date, 220 trees have been planted at the edges of existing woodland and along major footpaths through the parish. The photos below show examples of tree planting projects.

Woodland restoration on Peke's Farm. Image: © Neil Burfield.

Woodland restoration on Peke's Farm. Image: © Neil Burfield.

Hedgerow restoration projects

Over the years, many hedgerows in Chiddingly Parish have been removed as part of efforts to increase field sizes and ease access for farm machinery. Restoring these hedgerows replaces lost habitat for various bird, insect and mammal species that would have used them for food, as nesting sites, and as migration corridors. It also reinstates natural windbreaks for farmland, reducing the risk of wind erosion. To date, 638 m of hedgerow have been restored across the parish, including planting over 3,200 mixed hedging plants. The photos below show examples of hedgerow restoration in progress.

Hedgerow restoration at Peke's Farm, showing the condition of the hedgerow before replanting. Image: © Neil Burfield.

The same section of hedgerow at Peke's Farm, after replanting with a mixture of species to provide food resources for pollinators and birds. Image: © Neil Burfield.

Section of hedgerow alongside the Wealdway at Hale Farm prior to restoration. Image: © Sally Ashby.

The same section of hedgerow at Hale Farm after replanting with mixed species and strengthening with mesh. Image: © Bob Harvey.

Within a year of planting, our efforts at hedgerow restoration are already reaping benefits for wildlife. The new plants have taken and there is significant regrowth at sites along the Wealdway protected by wire meshing. As Bob Harvey from Hale Farm notes: "a real quick benefit has been recreating the wildlife corridor at the base of the old hedge just by fencing it off on both sides from the sheep. The new plants will help fill in some of the gaps lost to grazing." 

One year on and the new hedgerow plants along the Wealdway at Hale Farm are well established. Image: © Bob Harvey.

Simply fencing off sections of hedgerow to prevent animal grazing is allowing older hedgerow plants to regenerate. Image: © Bob Harvey.