What is a Devon Hedge?
A Devon hedge is a traditional hedge in the English county of Devon. Devon has more hedges than any other English county, thanks to a determined effort to retain the history, culture, and character of the region, spearheaded by numerous preservation organizations. Devon hedges give the landscape a distinctive patchwork quilt look, with fields bordered by beautiful hedges, around a quarter of which are over 800 years old. Some are even older, dating to the Bronze Age in Britain. Several features characterize a classic Devon hedge. The first is the use of a bank made from earth, which elevates the hedge above the surrounding landscape. Typically, the bank is faced with turf or stones to prevent erosion. The top of the bank is covered in a woody shrub, which is usually kept trimmed to avoid excessive sprawl. Any number of shrubs can be found in Devon hedges, with some bearing fruits or berries, making the hedge multi-purpose. In addition to creating boundaries, Devon’s hedges also play a
