Hedgerow History

Ecology, History and Landscape Character

Gerry Barnes and Tom Williamson

This table gives the books price, published date, ISBN reference and other details
Price:	£19.00
Published:	February 2006
ISBN:	1-905119-04-6
Details:	160 pp; illus: 35 colour, 35 black and white

Synopsis

From the Scots pine rows of the Breckland to the ancient earth and stone banks of the West Country, hedgerows are an essential component of regional landscape character. A working knowledge of hedges is an essential part of every landscape historian’s toolkit; yet we understand them less well than we do other features in the landscape.

The authors ask why hedgerows vary across different parts of Britain, and investigate the ecological, economic and historical reasons for these variations. Drawing upon a unique computerised analysis of hedges in Norfolk, they explore how hedges came into existence, and how they have changed over time. They move beyond the myth that a hedge can be dated simply by counting species, and develop instead a much more sophisticated account of hedgerow history. They point out marked geographic variations in species content and diversity, and explore the reasons for these differences.

Reviews

'This excellent and extensively illustrated book delves deeply into the complex history of the nation's hedges.' TLS 'Expertise covering archaeology, botany, forestry and history.a useful book.' British Archaeology