The scope of this implementation programme and landscape management plan covers the planting of a Hawthorne hedge to the West of the domestic garden at the rear of 23 Back Lane, Leeds and its proposed future management.
No land grading, topsoil removal or addition, grass seeding, cutting or removal of the existing trees or additional hard or soft landscaping will be required as part of the implementation plan.
To provide a Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) hedge boundary between the garden to the rear of 23 Back Lane and the adjacent Green Belt land (subject of App No 12/00047/FU). The hedge is intended to be in keeping with the local area and will be of benefit to wildlife when it reaches maturity.
It is proposed that the hedge will be managed to grow no higher than 2metres tall and no wider than 1.5metres wide and be cut into a ‘chamfered’ profile as it matures (up to 10 years).
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) 30/40cm Bare Root 1yr old plants
Planting will be in accordance with the Proposed Site Plan 1:200 drawing as submitted to the Leeds City Council planning authority as part of the planning application 12/00047/FU.
The planting system used will be a 25 metre length, doubled staggered row, planted into a pit of topsoil/compost mix. The plants will be bare root plants, planted so that the root collar is level with the ground surface with the soil well firmed around the roots and with 450mm’s between each plant, 300- 400mm between the two rows of plants.
Mulch material (mats or roll) will be utilised (after soil has been moistened) on each plant along the full length of the planting in order to conserve soil moisture and to minimize weed growth.
There is no evidence of rabbits on or adjacent to the site. Trees and shrubs (including Hawthorne) planted over the last 5 years on the site and on the adjacent land, have not been damaged by rabbits. However, if Rabbits are seen on site or evidence of damage exists, rabbit guards will be fitted to each plant and any damaged plants replaced.
Once planted, the plants will be trimmed to approx. 150 mm’s in height to stimulate a thicker hedge growth.
Bare root hedging should be planted when dormant (November-March), if an early response is received from the
Local Authority, work can be completed by April 2013 (planting is weather dependant through the winter period).
Please note that a delay in obtaining approval of the implementation programme and maintenance plan from the council coupled with adverse weather conditions could delay planting until the winter of 2013 giving a completion date of April 2014.
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Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) 30/40cm Bare Root 1yr old plants to be ‘pit’ planted.
Hawthorn plants, also known as Quickthorn, May, Whitethorn ( Crataegus monogyna ) are a fast growing, thorny native deciduous hedging plant with dark glossy green leaves. In spring, clusters of prominent scented white flowers burst into leaf within a few days of the initial buds appearing, followed by glossy red haws in autumn, which sustain native bird life. The Hawthorn leaves are bright green and tinged with red and make attractive deciduous hedges full of autumn colour.
Hawthorn is suitable for all soil types and positions, for any pH level, in particular; Acid Alkaline or Neutral and for any light conditions, in particular; Partial Shade or Full Sun. The location selected for this planting scheme is sheltered from wind by a high Hawthorne hedge and trees to the West on adjacent land, a 2 metre high fence to the
Southern boundary, a slight incline to the North and houses / garden walling situated to the East offering shelter to the new plants. The existing boundary fence immediately adjacent to the planting scheme will offer protection from straying animals from the adjacent Green belt land, browsing or trampling causing damage to the plants.
From the 1 st of November 2012 to 31 st of March 2013, no planting to take place at times of frost or waterlogged ground. From the 1 st of November 2013 to 31 st of March 2014 if weather conditions dictate unfavourable planting conditions in 2012/2013.
Note: Management refers to the routine physical tasks (eg mowing, pruning, weeding, watering etc) required to satisfy appropriate standards of aftercare and to enable the design and implementation objectives in respect of planting to be satisfactorily achieved. It is essential to identify who will be responsible for these tasks. A Schedule of
Maintenance Operations is normally a component of a Landscape Management Plan.
For a period of 1 year after planting, the Hawthorne plants will be watered and lightly pruned to stimulate growth and establishment of the hedge. For a period of 5 years, light pruning as appropriate and weeding close to the hedge base will be conducted in order to assist establishment of the hedge and stimulate hedge growth.
The management regime is described below in terms of the scope and frequency of annual maintenance operations, particularly during the establishment period, years 1-5.
Maintenance Operations:
1) A weed-free ground area of 1 metre around all the new trees will be maintained throughout the year, to avoid competition for water and nutrients and to prevent damage to tree trunks during grass maintenance.
Weeding will be conducted manually each year throughout May to September.
2) Any deadwood and litter will be removed and noxious weeds, such as brambles, controlled where appropriate each year throughout May to September. Scrub encroachment beyond the hedgerow will be prevented.
3) Watering will be undertaken in the first year of planting throughout May to September or greater as appropriate to weather conditions.
4) If the roots of newly planted trees are loosened after frost or wind, the soil will be re-firmed as soon as possible to exclude air pockets from around the roots.
5) In the first spring following planting trees will be cut down to 450-600 mms above the ground. This hard pruning encourages the shrubs to bush out and create a thick hedge.
6) The hedgerow will be lightly trimmed to achieve a dense hedgerow between January and February in years
3 and 5.
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7) Tree replacements (if required) will be undertaken as necessary between mid November and mid March.
8) During the first three years of growth, well rotted organic fertiliser will be applied annually, in March to ensure successful plant establishment.
9) Bare ground will be maintained beneath new sections of hedge to permit successful establishment.
10) Rabbit protection will be maintained (if found to be required).
The owners of the land to the rear of 23 Back Lane (subject of App No 12/00047/FU) will be responsible for managing the hedge.
Trimming is an essential part of long-term hedgerow maintenance. The species present within a hedge will affect the frequency of trimming but in most cases a trim undertaken between November to February (when birds are not nesting) is sufficient to encourage dense twiggy growth and form a solid boundary hedge.
The Hawthorne hedge to be planted to the Western boundary will be trimmed once every 2-3 years to maximize wildlife value. The flowers and fruits on the most common hedgerow species develop on 2-3 year old wood and therefore trimming more frequently than this will reduce the wildlife value.
Growth should not be left untrimmed for longer than 3 years however, as the woody growth will become too thick to be cleanly trimmed.
A tall thick hedge with good growth at the base is good for wildlife (the proposed height and width for this hedge are, no higher than 2 metres tall by no wider than 1.5 metres wide). A ‘chamfered’ profile is proposed for the hedge when it reaches maturity.
It is proposed to trim the hedge (once established) during the months of January or February when most of the berries will have been eaten off by birds. Any gaps which occur will be filled with Hawthorne of the same species.
Hedge ‘layering’ or ‘laying’ should be considered when appropriate in future years. To lay a hedge correctly the stems need to be partially cut through at ground level and then laid over. The resulting stub is trimmed to stimulate new growth from ground level thickening the base of the hedge. The web site www.hedgelaying.ie.
Gives further information on hedge ‘laying’.
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