South Western hedges of both turf and stone used to be left half built to settle, and even now are considered ‘tender’ until new vegetation starts to grow on them. During this period cattle can easily paw the stones loose or tear them down by climbing the banks, so cattle should be kept off the fields for several months. Alternatively a temporary fence should be erected about a yard from the base of the bank. Cattle should be kept off other retaining walls in the same way.
Once the bank is firmly bound by growing vegetation, livestock present few problems unless a stone or two is loosened in some other way. Rabbits and rats cause the most trouble since sections of stone facing may slump inward after they have burrowed extensively. If trees are planted along the top they may become lopsided over the years, and tend to break down one side of the bank, usually the one away from the prevailing wind. Trees, and to a lesser extent brambles and briars which root in the steep sides of a tall bank tend to loosen and dislodge stones. Whenever a break occurs, sheep and cattle are sure to investigate and accelerate the erosion.
Despite these problems, dry stone retaining walls and stone hedges need to be checked only occasionally once they have settled. As with free-standing walls, the quicker any break is made good the less likely it is to spread, whether or not livestock are present to increase the damage.
Once a year make a close check for dislodged stones. At this time also, unwanted trees or shrubs growing from the sides should be cut back or dug out. If the bank has a live hedge on top of it, you can renew the soil and keep the plants vigorous by shovelling up earth which has slumped to the base of the bank, and spreading it among the hedge plants.
