The Midlands hedge is designed primarily as a bullock fence. Typically, it is ditched along one side but lacks a bank, or has only a slight bank formed by periodically mucking the ditch out onto the roots of the shrubs. Ditches, although perhaps at first boundary features associated with banks, later were used mainly for drainage on the frequently heavy soils of this region.
Midlands hedges are asymmetrical in cross-section, with the brushy ends of the pleachers angledout into the field and away from the ditch. Cattle in the field or ‘far ’ side are kept away from the shoots which spring up from the cut stools along the ditch or ‘near ’ side. The brush angled into the field prevents stock from pushing and rubbing on the hedge, and the hedge’s height prevents them leaning over. The stakes, with the pleachers woven between, makes the whole hedge sturdy. The binding locks the pleachers down and keeps them from springing out of position. The pleachers should be live; the use of deadwood is frowned upon as it is thought to inhibit new growth, but it may be used if necessary to add strength to a very thin or gappy hedge.
In all Midlands hedging procedures the ‘near side’ of the hedge is the side with a ditch, and the ‘far side’ the side next to the field. Where there is no ditch, either side can be chosen to be the near side. Remember though, that it is this side which must be protected from grazing animals.
A well-laid Midlands hedge makes an ideal horse jump, and some Hunts are active supporters of hedging competitions. Hunters prefer the stakes to be sawn off flat so as not to impale the horses.
