443 m of hedges in 2 rows – ASSESSE

The Dubois brothers planted 443 m of hedges in 2 rows in Assesse

This project was supported by:

Our thanks also go to the many citizens who contributed to this magnificent project!

The Project Implemented

The project involves approximately 450 m of hedge, 443 meters to be exact, and in double rows. This hedge was not planted just anywhere. No. The Dubois brothers wanted it in cultivated soil!

The hedge consists of a thorny base and a wide variety of species, including plants capable of producing standards:

Cornelian Cherry, Common Dogwood (Cornus mas, C. sanguinae)
Hazelnut (Coryllus avelana)
Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
European Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
Common Apple (Malus sylvestris mitis)
Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
Black Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lantana)
Guelder Rose (V. opulus)

There are several objectives: the provision of habitat for beneficial insects in a context of sustainable conventional agriculture; a secondary objective is to curb diffuse erosion observed on the plot.

In addition to the hedge, a sowing of dwarf white clover was carried out. Yes! Clover helps to compete with weeds or arable weeds that would develop in the area. These so-called adventitious plant species could hinder the development of the hedge and also become problematic for crops. It was therefore important to prevent this scenario!

Clover has a shallow root system that does not compete with the hedge and forms good ground cover. This cohabitation can be beneficial for the hedge in that clover, a species of the Fabaceae family, captures nitrogen from the air, in the soil.

Given the objective of providing habitat for beneficial insects, sowing clover is more advantageous than mulching, which would require a lot of material and labor. Furthermore, the presence of this flowering plant will, we hope, limit soil water evaporation. The aim is therefore to anticipate future water needs during the hedge’s 3-year establishment period.

Project Status in 2022

PlantC was able to assist the Dubois brothers in coordinating their project. In total, nearly 1,270 plants were planted in winter 2021-2022. As with all PlantC projects, farmers contribute financially to their project! For the remaining balance to be financed, the funding for this project was the result of a strong cooperation between the PlantC system and the public grant for planting a living hedge.

On October 25, 2022, we returned to the site. The hedge is already a prominent feature in the landscape, and the clover is flourishing at the base of the shrubs. The establishment rate is excellent.