Durham Coast: Tilhill Forestry supports hedgerow planting

In this major National Trust project, supported by the North East Community Forest and overseen by Tilhill Forestry, 40,075 hedgerow plants have been planted at two sites – White Lea Farm, Easington, and Cotsford Fields, Horden.

They feature a diverse mix of native species of hedge whips and woodland trees and shrubs, including hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, crab apple, wild privet, birch and rowan.

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The planting also includes a series of small woodlands, comprising 225 trees, and 550 in-hedge trees, planted on average every 15 metres. This gives the tree species – which include English oak, field maple and Scots pine – plenty of room to flourish and grow to full maturity.

Eric Wilton, general manager at the National Trust, said: “Hedgerows are hugely important, although often ignored – and this planting project is a vital, long-term part of our work to conserve and restore habitats along this special stretch of coastline.

The planting took place during winter 2024 (Image: PR)

“Hedgerows are amazing habitats in their own right and help to connect other habitats. The more diverse a hedgerow, the more life it can support, as different species flower and offer a food supply at different times of year. 

"As the hedgerow matures, you’ll often get some dead wood and plant litter, which are great for insects, spiders and other invertebrates. In turn, they attract other creatures, such as bats, small mammals and birds.”

Most of the hedges have been planted in five-metre-wide corridors and will initially be fenced off to prevent damage by grazing livestock. Where there’s space, some hedges have been planted directly alongside footpaths, but public access won’t be affected at all. The planting team is carefully preserving the open views that people love, maintaining key viewpoints on the farm and has avoided planting close to the cliff tops to allow the natural process of coastal erosion to continue.

A diverse native species mix of hedge whips, woodland trees and shrubs were chosen for planting (Image: PR)

Lloyd Jones, forest manager – North East Community Forest, said: “We have long-term ambitions to increase woodland, tree and hedgerow cover across the North East, which will bring huge environmental, health and economic benefits to the region. 

"This latest partnership project between the North East Community Forest, National Trust and Tilhill Forestry project brings us a step closer to these goals. It has been a real team effort and we would like to thank all our partners for their support in making it happen.”

Elsewhere, certificates, cash payments and a bottle of champagne were awarded to Tilhill staff by Harry Stevens, BSW Group forestry director, at a recent company meeting to recognise the dedication and valued contribution of the employees.

The long-service award certificates went to:

• Martin Craig, project manager, and senior forest manager Stephen Smith, who have served Tilhill since 1978. 
• Sheena McNally, PA to the directors since 1983, and Ben Schofield, Jedburgh senior forest manager since 1998.
• John Gallacher, forest ecologist, and Mike Futty, survey manager, serving since 1999.
• David Edwards, forestry director; Stuart Pearson, business development director; Liz Mathieson, harvesting business support manager; and Darrell Boult, Central Scotland area manager, all since 2003
• Andrew Vaughan, North Scotland regional manager; Steve Bradley, fibre supply manager; Simon Miller, Wales and Marches area manager; and  Lynne Hepburn, purchase ledger business support, since 2004.

Harry Stevens said: "It is very exciting to be able to recognise and celebrate the contribution that staff have made to the business. 

Harry Stevens handed out the awards during a recent meeting (Image: PR)

"We hope that they will all take the opportunity to mark that milestone with family friends or colleagues."