I came across an eventbrite listing for a hedgerow management talk with Nigel Adams of Countryside Management in the UK. The talk was full and closed but it prompted me to search for other possibilities.

We read about hedgerows when we read Sproutlands. A hedgerow is a fence and I’m reminded of that expression ‘good fences make good neighbors.’ I can speak personally to the concept that no fences can make bad neighbors. In response to my complaining about something, my neighbor suggested that if I didn’t like it, I should build a wall…

Hedgerows are a fence with a long history. They do require maintenance but they never require repainting… And they aren’t subject to much in the way of vandalism. The art of creating and maintaining hedgerows seems to have declined but like many things is coming around again. A hedgerow is created through the process of hedgelaying, which looks to me like weaving together sturdy shrubs and sometimes trees to create a living barrier that changes with the season and provides habitat for wildlife.

Poking around on eventbrite to say nothing of the internet in general uncovered all manner of information, videos, and trainings.

Today I came across some free and some pay what you can webinars.

A website called Plantlife has a series called fall into nature with Plantlife. From their website: “Plantlife’s autumnal series of online events includes discussion, plant identification and other training opportunities and a chance to connect with nature and explore conservation. All events are free, but if you would like to donate to support our work you can add an optional donation. Plantlife relies on its members and donors. the more you give, the more plants we can save. Thank you.”

The Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum is offering their autumn science lecture series – five, free online talks exploring the world of plant microbe interactions.

Since we began reading together as a book club, we have read any number of books about trees. Sproutlands was perhaps the first one that emphasized humans shaping growing trees to meet construction needs. This morning I came across a truly stunning example of someone who has built a church (and event venue) out of trees. The website is filled with fascinating information, so you should read it. The photo below was copied from a 2015 article in Stuff (credited to NZ House & Garden) with the image by Ray Dixon of CloudCutterPhoto. The link to Ray’s website is no longer good; however you can still read the article here.

While one might think of this sort of work as a centuries-long effort, the arborist who established the church and grounds had a TreeSpade and a business moving large trees. According to the website, when people had trees that needed to be removed, he would give them a second chance on his property. He began planting the trees in about 2011 and sold the property in 2020. The new owners are maintaining it as an event venue and continue to work with the trees. The growth and development of the building (and several others) is amazing when you think that this has happened in the space of about a dozen years.