Stick Dragger

Your laid pleachers will send up shoots along their length so you really only need to fill gaps you can measure in metres. Once laid the hedge will bush up and small gaps will fill. Are you in the chalky parts of Kent? If so you could try Privet, Ash or perhaps Wayfaring Tree. Cheers, Rob

Ah ha, sounds good- Will give it a try. I have already tried some thorn quicksets and will report back in spring if they take. Invariably I will be going to a nursery to get whips too. Thanks for the tips. Rob

Thanks guys- yes this might well be what I end up doing. I can see that it's far less hassle to buy whips (esp with discount for large numbers). I'd still like to learn what is possible with quicksetting as it could perhaps be useful for propagating locally rare species, Alder Buckthorn, Wayfaring Tree, Wild Pear etc, that are not so commercially available or for preserving local genetic integrity in a conservation context. A lost craft perhaps, Thanks, Rob

Hi, I've been laying hedges (Devon style) with various conservation bodies I have worked for over some years and also do projects in my own time. I'm slowly getting better but nowhere near the standard of some of the folk on here. I want to gap up some hedges in East Devon and have been trying to find out about quicksetting as a means of restoring gappy hedges once laid. I know you can do this with Willow obviously, but have read that quickset hedges were made with Hazel and Hawthorn. Does anyone know anything about this, how to prepare cuttings, time of year etc. I know from experience that Privet layers very easily but would like to know if other species can be propagated like this? Any advice gratefully received, Thanks, Rob