Hedges

  

One of our first activities on the Common was to plant a hedge (between Brook Road and the 73 bus stand) to hide and soften the then bare metal railway fence, as well as introduce biodiversity and greenery. Hedges are also great at absorbing air and noise pollution as well as providing habit. 

 

 

A few years later, we added a hedge along the other railway line and later still, the hedges along Rectory Road and by the playground. So now we have four healthy hedgerows. 

 

These photographs show the fence and the new hedging plants about 2001. 

 

  

Our hedges contain a diverse range of mostly native species, such as hawthorn, dogwood, spindle and blackthorn. 

 

The hedges have now grown so well, that we have to thin them out and trim them back most winters. 

 

 

Over the winter of 2024-25 we planted smaller clumps of hedging around the Common. These will provide further greenery and habitat and help clean the air. 

 

None of this would have been possible without the help and expert guidance of the Tree Musketeers (link opens in a new window/tab) and Hackney Council Parks department and a lot of free labour from many local people.

 

 

 

Winter work thinning and layering the hedges