Healthy Hedgerows Survey
Resource explained
Healthy Hedgerows is a free rapid assessment hedgerow survey app, from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), available to download for Android or IOS devices. The survey is also fully integrated with Land App and Land App Mobile. Alternatively it can be completed on the PTES website but to edit, delete or download records of your hedge surveys, you need to be logged in. You can also access versions that can be printed off as paper copies and completed offline. By answering a handful of simple questions, this hedgerow health-checker will place each hedge you survey in the hedgerow lifecycle (based on the Adams Hedgerow Management Scale) and give you instant management options. It has been designed for farmers and landowners who would like to understand their whole hedge network and create a hedge management plan at the farm scale. The website also includes guidance and a long list of ‘FAQ’s.
Findings & recommendations
- The structure and quality of hedgerows will always deteriorate if they are managed in the same way for too long, whether through annual cutting at the same height, or by not cutting at all. In fact, hedgerows are at their best when managed according to their lifecycle, which may include trimming, incremental increase in height and width, and eventually, rejuvenation.
- Quickly and simply, you can rapidly assess all the hedges on your land. You can use the management options generated to create a farm or landscape scale management plan for obtaining a healthy hedgerow network.
Summary provided by:
Phil SumptionEdited by:
Janie Caldbeck
Organisation(s):
- People's Trust for Endangered Species
Date:
05/03/2026Evidence:
Farmer experience
Copyright:
All Rights ReservedKey Farming Practices:
- Habitat creation
- Silvoarable
- Silvohorticulture
- Silvopastoral
- Silvopoultry
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