Hedge Summary
Because of the constraints of time and the unfamiliarity of the observers with methods of hedgerow reporting only a generalised over view of the structure, state and shape of the hedges was undertaken. It was not possible to examine the flora associated with them or make any observations in great detail. Also we were limited by lack of access particularly to enclosures in the north of the study area. Thus we examined most of the boundaries south of and east of the line of Market Flat Lane and Scriven Road which were not associated with private dwellings, those immediately north of Market Flat Lane and those of the projecting area to the east of Farnham Lane also a narrow strip to the immediate west of Farnham Lane. Seventy two hedges were reported on in total.
The fields in the far west of the study i.e. those west of Preston Bottoms Lane area appeared to date from the 1830 enclosures being long strips with parallel sides. Those in the area of Jacob Smith Park were larger and irregular being part of an earlier field system. But many of the hedges were straight suggesting later subdivisions. Straight boundaries were the most common throughout the whole of the study area.
The hedges accessed and those viewed from roads almost all had been planted as hawthorn. Most, probably all, were layered in their early years although some of the hawthorns had been allowed to grow up high subsequently. Almost all hedges had been infiltrated by other species, often heavily; elder being almost omnipresent. In one case elder predominated over the original hawthorn. Other infiltrators were holly, hazel, elm, blackthorn, and snow berry. Less common were oak, buckthorn, prunus, lime, alder, cherry, beech and mountain ash. Where a hedge skirted a small pond there was a willow as well as alders. Near dwellings leylandii, privet, laurel berberis and dawinii occurred, presumably mostly by human intervention. Also it appeared that some species such as blackthorn may have been used to fill gaps in the original hawthorn in some places. It was noted that some hedges were climbed over by rose bramble, ivy and convolvulus. Sometimes ivy had become part of the hedge structure.
Some hedges had been lost. The line of one of these was still indicated by hawthorn stumps. Some hedges had been replaced by fencing. Many of those extant were lined by post and wire fencing. It was common to find the remains of a wooden fence incorporated into the hedge, possibly dating to the original enclosure. Those hedges enclosing pasture land were impenetrable and mostly well maintained. Those demarking arable land often had less well maintained hedges with gaps.
The north hedges of the fields along the north side of Market Flat Lane ie field 41 and subdivisions south of the narrow strip of woodland, itself south of Coney Garth, could have been the oldest viewed but they appeared unmanaged which might have influenced their appearance.
At the east end of the hedge of field 3 i.e the boundary that runs along the Ripley- Knaresborough road a area of substantial stone wall was found at the junction with Red Hill Lane. Stone wall also bordered the pond at Appleby Carr. Yew and ornamental shrubs in the vicinity suggest an ornamental garden.
A general uniformity was noted. Possibly most of not all of the hedges seen dated from the first half of the nineteenth century
