Hedgerows

Ancient hedgerows are defined in the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 as those which have been in existence at least since 1845, and are generally considered to be those which predate the Enclosure Acts.

Species-rich hedgerows are field boundaries consisting of five or more native woody shrubs in a 30-m sample in the lowlands, and four species in the uplands.

Such hedgerows are frequently situated on banks which are rich in herbaceous plants. They often include hedgerow trees and may be associated with a ditch. These hedges can be important habitats for butterflies, moths, birds and small mammals, and are of considerable significance in the landscape, as both visual and historic features. Although typically found in an agricultural setting, they also occur where development has taken place on previously farmed areas. West Wales (Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire ) appears to be the most richly endowed region of Wales in terms of ancient and/or species rich hedgerows.

It is estimated that one quarter of the total length of Welsh hedgerows was lost between 1984 and 1990, with lack of management accounting for greater losses than deliberate removal.

As part of the Environment Act 1995, the Hedgerow Regulation 1997 provides some degree of protection for hedgerows in England and Wales, chiefly in regulating their wholesale removal. Hedgerows within built up areas do not receive this protection, but the planning system does provide for the retention of hedgerows in conjunction with development. The Regulations do not address the gradual deterioration of hedgerows brought about by a lack of appropriate management.

A small proportion of the hedgerows in the county are managed traditionally, by means of hedge-laying - agreements under agri-environment schemes provide capital grants that include hedgerow management. Advice relating to hedgerow management is provided by various agencies and a leaflet has been produced by the council on this habitat.

Current status in Carmarthenshire

The county’s hedgerows are recognised as important. They are a distinctive landscape feature and a valuable biodiversity resource, providing a habitat for many animals and plants and acting as wildlife corridors along which wildlife moves and disperses to other habitats. Some hedgerows were created when land was enclosed in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century; others are much older, formed from woodlands. There are peculiarities, such as the laburnum hedges of mid/north-east Carmarthenshire or the seemingly resurgent English elm hedgerows of the coastal flats.

Hedgerows trees are prominent in many hedges in the county (most especially, perhaps, the Coalfield Gwendraeth Fawr valley), excluding the unenclosed areas of upland, such as Mynydd Mallaen and Mynydd Llanybydder. They provide distinctive landscape features – some of these are ‘veteran’ trees of great age. Hedgerows supply autumn fruits and berries for berry-eating birds such as redwings and fieldfares, nest sites for yellowhammers and linnets and provide a home for the dormouse which, as far as is known, has a Welsh stronghold in south-east Carmarthenshire.

Survey work carried out by Carmarthenshire County Council in conjunction with the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 suggests that about 70% of hedgerows in the county can be described as either ancient or species rich, or both.

The current condition of hedgerows in the county is very variable. Many have been restored in recent years through the various agri-environment schemes, others continue to decline through lack of management.

Current factors affecting the habitat

• Continued removal of hedgerows for agricultural purposes, development including housing, road building and widening, construction of cycle ways and pipe lines.
• Deterioration through of severe annual flailing, particularly where stock is not adequately excluded and all re-growth is browsed off.
• Some hedgerows are deteriorating as a result of invasion by bracken and in some localities Japanese knotweed.
• Hedgerows and the species growing on the banks and in the ditches associated with them are adversely affected by regular applications of slurry.
• Un-fenced hedgerows on heavily grazed farmland are likely to deteriorate due to browsing and trampling. Successful regeneration of the woody shrubs is prevented and similarly much of the ground flora can be lost.
• The number of hedgerow trees is declining and losses are not being replaced.

Arable Field Margins

At present, there is very little arable habitat of note remaining in the county – in contrast to the past when every local farming community had its share of grain or root crops. This decline of arable along with the disappearance of many associated weed species and a decline of insect food has contributed to the massive decline of the tree sparrow (and other seed-eating birds such as yellowhammer or linnet).Tree sparrows are now essentially confined to the mid-Tywi valley, where the weed, seed and insect resource of the river shingle shoals is crucial to its survival; a recent nest box scheme has also helped. The remaining arable areas (often just a few fields on a farm), can give rise to a distinctive group of arable-associated annual plants such as field pansy, lesser snapdragon and fumitories as well as specialised mosses.

Traditional Orchards

Traditional orchards are managed in a low-intensity manner, using little pesticides and inorganic fertilisers. The trees are relatively long lived and the grassland under the trees is usually grazed by cattle, sheep or cut for hay. They are generally considered to have five or more trees and to have the crown edge of the trees spaces within 20 m of each other.

They can be very good as a habitat for rare lichens and invertebrates and are an important part of our heritage and landscape. They have often occupied the same piece of land for centuries.

Orchards are rare in Carmarthenshire. In the UK the area of traditionally managed across the UK has declined by nearly 60% since the 1950s. Those that remain are often in poor condition. More information is needed on the extent, type and condition of traditional orchards in the county.

The Tywi Valley seems to have been historically important for orchards. Research shows that this area was once known for its spring blossom with over 100 orchards shown on the 1905 OS map between Llandovery and Llandeilo. There are three historical varieties of apple tree local to Dinefwr alone. Saint Teilo, after whom the town is named, is called the patron saint of apples.
There has never been a systematic survey of the county of its orchards. It is worthy of further investigation as Carmarthenshire has yielded a number of 'unknown' indigenous apple varieties. Tir Gofal has orchards as a ‘promoted habitat’ which they will support the management and restoration.