What is a hedgerow?
A hedgerow is a long, narrow planting of shrubs, small trees and sometimes grasses and flowers, set along a field edge, road or property line. People have used them for centuries to mark boundaries, hold livestock and break the wind.
Today many landowners plant them for wildlife as well. When several connect, or link to woods and streams, they work as corridors that let animals move between larger patches of habitat.
Hedgerows pay off slowly, so be honest about your timeline and your energy. A short, well-tended planting beats a long one that is overgrown by year three. If you have to choose, plant less and care for it better.
What benefits do they offer?
A good hedgerow slows wind across fields, which can reduce soil blowing and protect tender crops and animals. Its roots hold soil along the edge, and its leaves catch dust and spray drift.
For wildlife it gives nesting sites, berries, insects and a place to hide from hawks. Flowering shrubs support bees and other pollinators early in the season, when little else is in bloom. The size of the benefit depends on how diverse the planting is and how well it is managed.
How do I plan one?
Start with a purpose: windbreak, wildlife, privacy, a living fence or all of these. Walk the site and note sun, soil moisture, overhead lines, buried utilities, drainage and neighbors. Decide where it will go, how wide it will be and how you will reach it with equipment for maintenance.
Choose plants adapted to your region. Your conservation district, state forestry agency and extension office can suggest species that suit your soil and climate and warn you about plants that are invasive in your state. Call a utility locating service before digging.
Bring a sketch to your conservation district or extension office. A simple drawing with north, existing trees, buildings, utility lines and drainage helps them give useful, specific advice at the first conversation.
- Check overhead and underground utilities
- Leave room for mowers and sprayers on either side
- Choose a mix of plant heights and bloom times
- Avoid plants listed as invasive in your state
How do I plant and establish it?
Young shrubs and trees need protection and care in the first years. Weed control around them, mulch, watering in dry spells and guards against deer, rabbits and mowers all raise survival. Planting time depends on your climate, so follow local advice.
Expect slow progress. A hedgerow often takes several years before it gives much shelter or fruit. Replace losses early so the line does not develop gaps that weeds and wind exploit.
How do I maintain it?
Pruning and renewal keep a hedgerow dense and healthy. Some hedges are cut back on a rotation, with a section renewed each year, while others are allowed to grow taller. The method depends on species and purpose, so ask local foresters or extension staff.
Avoid heavy trimming in nesting season. Watch for diseased or dead plants, thorny growth reaching the road, and weeds invading the base. Keep sprays and fertilizers off the roots of the planting, since drift can harm it.
Do hedgerows cause problems?
They can shade a strip of crop, compete for water along the edge and shelter pests or rodents. Careful placement, with the planting on the north or west side where possible, and a managed width limit these concerns. Be honest about tradeoffs for your own fields.
Corridors can also help predators reach poultry or livestock areas. If you keep animals, think about the location of coops and pens relative to the planting, and read the guide on protecting poultry.
Spray drift from neighboring fields can damage young hedges, so talk with whoever farms next door about when and what they apply.
Is there help to plant one?
Some conservation programs, state forestry agencies, conservation districts and local groups offer technical help, seedlings or cost-share for hedgerows and buffer plantings. Availability, rules and payments differ and change, so ask your local NRCS office and conservation district what is current.
Check any requirements on maintenance, width and use of the land before you sign. For long-term agreements that affect land use, talk with a licensed professional.
Key takeaways
- Hedgerows mix shrubs, small trees and ground cover for wind, wildlife and soil protection.
- Plan around utilities, equipment access and local plant advice.
- Young plantings need weed control, protection and early replacement.
- Prune and renew on a schedule that avoids nesting season.
- Place them thoughtfully near poultry, crops and roads.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.