hedge

A hedge is a line or barrier of closely planted shrubs or small trees that forms a hedge or screen. It is used as a boundary, privacy screen, windbreak, or noise barrier around gardens, estates, farms, and public spaces. Hedges can be evergreen, retaining leaves year-round, or deciduous, losing leaves in winter, and they may be formal (neatly clipped) or informal (more natural growth).

Common hedge plants include privet, boxwood, yew, beech, hornbeam, holly, and laurel for evergreen screens, and hawthorn, hazel, or quickthorn for mixed deciduous hedges. Species choice affects growth rate, density, seasonal color, and wildlife value. Hedges are typically established by planting a row of shrubs and allowing them to fill in; spacing and trimming influence thickness and shape.

Maintenance involves regular pruning to maintain a desired width and height, with formal hedges trimmed several times per year, while informal hedges are managed as needed. Other practices include pollarding or coppicing for long-term renewal, and addressing pests and diseases that affect dense growth.

Ecological and cultural significance: hedges provide habitat for birds, small mammals, and insects, contribute to biodiversity, and act as windbreaks and soil stabilizers. In agricultural landscapes, hedgerows historically separated fields and now are often protected by law in some jurisdictions, reflecting their ecological value and cultural heritage.