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I am looking for some advice on hedging . . . .

i have two roadside acres. long and narrow so need quite alot

along the road i would like to strenghten up the existing (wild) hedge with something that will fill in the gaps but won't smother the trees dotted along it, and that would preferably encourage wildlife (pest-eating birds in particular)

in other areas i need something thick and evergreen to provide a bit of privacy

although i can see why they are popular i am not a huge fan of leylandi and cherry laurel as i think of them as more suited to urban gardening . . . . and anyway mrs. stonethrower would like something that flowers

any advice appreciated

Hawthorn and blackthorn will give everything you want, and you can eat them! Bought bare root they are very cheap.

Hazel, will provide a screen from the road, food for you and for the squirrels (do you have them in Ireland?).

Elderberries - an absolute must both for you and the birds.

Oh there's loads of lovely hedging trees/shrubs. I'd love to be able to plant a wildlife hedge.

Just an addition - laurel has the most beautifully scented flowers and it grows wild and self seeds in my garden. It doesn't have to be formed into a suburban hedge! They are just trees when not pruned into a hedge and look great.

i forgot to mention that i need one "soft" variety . . . . i.e. no thorns or spikes

i keep greyhounds and need it to screen off the gallop from the kennels
obviously it must be thick and evergreen and thorns dropping on the gallop surface is a no-no . . . . must be fast growing too . . . . laurel might be my best option here maybe

ps - we do have squirrels in Ireland . . . . mostly "reds" where i live

A really good fast growing evergreen hedge is Lonicera Nitida (a member of the Honeysuckle family). We have used the yellow form (Baggesen's Gold) on many occasions. It will strike from cuttings really easy and soon makes a really thick hedge. It doesn't flower but the yellow always looks bright and attractive even in mid winter and the birds love it for nesting.

Or evergreen with blue flowers, also quick growing, have you thought of Ceanothus (Californian Lilac).

Don't know about your area but here in Lincolnshire the local Parish Council have hundreds of shrubs and trees to give away absolutely free each year to whoever wants them. We have had a number of bare rooted trees plus on two consecutive years we've had 200 dog roses which we have planted around two of the boundaries, they look lovely in the summer and make a nice thorny deterrent to any would be thief.

Photinia red robin is not thorny and would give you beautiful colour, also nuts cobnuts and the like would be useful too. Holly, hawthorn and dog rose although thorny would also be great for some ish recipies aswell as the wildlife.