Relocating mature hedges and the living benefits for house builders

Modern urban design should stop viewing hedging as simple boundaries. Mature hedging offers a superior, multi-functional alternative to conventional fences or walls. They provide a living barrier, part of a dynamic infrastructure that delivers significant environmental and social benefits for new developments. Natural hedges also provide noise reduction, enhanced privacy, effective pollution absorption and vital biodiversity and such are their benefits, that they are becoming increasingly attractive for Britain’s housebuilders, writes Robert Wilkins, operations director for Ruskins, a market leader specialising in the re-location of trees, shrubs and hedging.

These moves from conventional walls and fences to a more holistic view of mature hedging provides powerful solutions to some of the most significant challenges in high-density urban areas. Rather than viewing hedges as a simple fence substitute, developers can use their multi-functional nature to address key environmental issues and create genuinely superior living spaces. One of the most tangible examples of this is the hedge's capacity for acoustic shielding.

A mature hedge provides a highly effective solution for urban noise mitigation. Unlike a solid wall that reflects sound waves, dense foliage and branches actively absorb and diffuse acoustic energy. This biological barrier works to dampen ambient noise from traffic and neighbouring properties, creating noticeably quieter and more tranquil micro-environments for residents – a major plus for buyers of new homes.

In addition to its acoustic properties, mature hedging offers a robust and natural form of privacy and security. The dense foliage creates an immediate visual screen providing a sense of seclusion and enclosure for homes and gardens, often absent from new build developments. This organic barrier delivers a softer aesthetic than a brick wall or wooden fence, while still establishing clear boundaries. The physical density of a well-maintained hedge also serves as a formidable deterrent for intruders, enhancing the security of a property in a way that feels natural and highly effective.

Hedges are also important corridors between areas for wildlife, particularly important for some species of Bats. Their wildlife benefits are becoming more and more recognised.  

For Ruskins, the process of relocating a mature hedge begins with a precise assessment of its species, age and overall health to determine the feasibility of the move. Once a hedge is selected, a specialist team carefully prepares it for relocation. Using state-of-the-art machinery, the hedge's root system is expertly removed from the ground in a large, intact root ball. This root ball is then carefully encapsulated in a protective cage or wrapping to maintain its integrity, ensuring the root structure remains moist and stable during the entire process, protecting it from damage. This critical initial stage is precisely engineered to minimise stress on the living hedge and maximise its chances of successful re-establishment.

Once established in its new home, the hedge leaves and stems act as a natural filtration system, trapping airborne particulate matter, dust and other contaminants. Furthermore, the plants absorb carbon dioxide, contributing positively to local air quality. In a built-up urban environment, this bio-filtration provides a direct health benefit to residents, but it also demonstrates a developer's commitment to creating cleaner, more sustainable living spaces.

From an ecological perspective, mature hedging is an essential component of a truly sustainable urban landscape. It provides vital habitat and a food source for a variety of native wildlife, including birds, insects and small mammals. By creating a continuous green corridor, hedges help to connect fragmented green spaces, fostering biodiversity across a wider area. Integrating these ecological assets into a development enriches the local ecosystem, but it also enhances the overall appeal of a neighbourhood to an environmentally conscious market.

Ultimately, mature hedging stands as a superior design solution offering a holistic blend of function, form and sustainability. It provides a natural aesthetic that softens hard architectural lines and introduces seasonal visual interest. The collective benefits of noise reduction, privacy, pollution absorption and biodiversity not only create a more pleasant living environment, but also significantly enhance a property's marketability and long-term value. Forward-thinking urban design should therefore move beyond static boundaries and embrace the dynamic potential of hedges as living, multi-functional assets.