The upright method of hedge laying creates a barrier, almost like a hurdle, that stock can’t pass. You have the ideal height not to shade the field if there is a crop in it but to allow the farmer to see over to help keep an eye on stock. For us, because of the bank, there is no need of the height so it gets layed down onto the dirt. If the pleacher roots in (which thorn seems to do) then quite often the horizontal wood will rot away. This leads to problems when animals get into the hedge as they can find a weak section of hedge and get through. The upright method, done on top of a bank does not work very well as it does not protect the side of the bank, leading to animals rubbing it.
Andy L
