Northern Ireland’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), alongside The Tree Council, is marking National Hedgerow Week, which runs until May 10.
CAFRE said: “Hedgerows are a long‑standing feature of Northern Ireland’s farms and continue to deliver practical benefits.
“Well-managed hedges provide vital shelter for livestock, reduce wind exposure, protect soils, and help slow water movement during periods of heavy rainfall.
“These functions support farm productivity while contributing to wider environmental goals.”
Niamh Woods, biodiversity technologist at CAFRE, said: “Hedgerows are working assets on farms.
“They help improve animal welfare, reduce soil loss and support pollinators and farmland birds, all while maintaining strong field boundaries.
“Good hedgerow management benefits both the farm business and the environment.”
Across CAFRE farms, hedgerows are managed using best‑practice approaches, including moving away from annual cutting towards three‑year rotational cutting on suitable hedges.
Allowing hedges to flower and fruit improves hedge structure and provides food and shelter for wildlife, while maintaining dense, stock‑proof boundaries, according to CAFRE.
The college also supports the establishment of new hedgerows where they can replace “gappy” boundaries, link habitats, or provide additional shelter.
Students gain practical experience in planting and managing mixed native species hedgerows, ensuring future land managers have the skills needed to meet modern environmental and farming demands.
‘Hedges are trees too’
“Teaching students how to establish and manage hedgerows effectively is essential,” Woods said.
The 2026 theme, ‘Hedges are Trees Too’, encourages land managers to recognise the long‑term value of hedgerows as living features that contribute to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
CAFRE is encouraging farmers and land managers to use National Hedgerow Week as an opportunity to review hedge condition and plan future management or restoration.
Further guidance on hedgerow establishment and management is available in the business support area of the CAFRE website.