Option 13 - Management of Linear Features 
- Hedgerows and hedgerow trees
- Dykes
What this is about
This option will enhance the landscape and biodiversity through the good management of farm hedgerows, hedgerow trees and dykes.
What this will achieve
The better management of hedgerows, hedgerow trees and dykes by sensitive cutting and reinstatement will provide shelter and food for insects, birds and small mammals.
The Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species that may benefit include Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Brown Hare, Common Pipistrelle Bat and Soprano Pipistrelle Bat, and the lichens such as the Orange-Fruited Elm-Lichen.
What you must do
Requirements
Hedgerows and hedgerow trees
- Management of the hedge will include periodic cutting, planting, gapping or coppicing.
- When managing for landscape benefits, you may cut the hedges on both sides no more than once every two years. You should only cut one half of the length of the hedgerows managed in any one year.
- When managing for biodiversity benefits, cut your hedge on both sides no more than once every three years. You should only cut one third of the hedgerows managed in any one year.
- You must cut a different section of hedge each year so that all hedges are cut in rotation.
- Manage your hedges over several years so they form an A-frame shape and are at least 1.5 metres tall and at least 2 metres wide at the base.
- Only cut back, trim or lop your hedgerow trees between 1 December and 1 March.
- We encourage you to lay your hedges.
- Where possible, encourage hedgerow trees to develop at intervals along your hedge, by marking and not cutting them.
- You must fill gaps in your hedge by planting a mixture of trees and shrubs. You must only use native-species trees and shrubs (a list is available from SNH), although you may plant beech and sycamore where these are appropriate and traditionally used in your local hedges. You should use plants from your local area wherever possible.
- Prepare a sketch map which clearly shows the location of the hedge you propose to manage and keep this map for inspection purposes.
Dykes
- Only dyking which has suffered minor damage or deterioration (i.e. from fallen coping stones to totally collapsed sections of wall less than 2 metres in length) is eligible under this option.
- You should carry out repairs and maintain your drystane dykes using traditional local material and to the standard and style that is normally found there.
- Prepare a sketch map which clearly shows the location of the dyke you propose to manage and keep this map for inspection purposes.
Who can apply
All land managers are eligible to apply for this option.
How to apply
Complete Section 3 of the LMO application form and columns L and M of your SAF Data Sheet using one of the following codes. The code required for Hedgerows with landscape benefits is LMOHEDA and for Hedgerows with biodiversity benefits enter LMOHEDB. The code required for Dykes is LMODYK.
Eligibility criteria
Hedgerows and hedgerow trees: To meet EU requirements you will not be able to maintain more than
50 metres of hedgerow per hectare of the land that you farm.
Dykes: To meet EU requirements, you will not be able to maintain more than 50 square metres of dyke under this option for every hectare of land that you farm.
Hedges or dykes receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes are not eligible under this option.
Where a boundary linear feature is involved, the payment will be in proportion to your level of responsibility; that is, if you and your neighbour are equally responsible for maintaining a dyke, you will be entitled to payment on half of the area of dyke. In such instances, a Shared Boundary Agreement must be completed and submitted with your application. These forms will be available from your SGRPID Area Office. If the requirements are not met because your neighbour does not follow the option requirements, you will be in breach.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. We will pay at the end of each year.
Hedgerows for landscape: 10 pence per metre per year
Hedgerows for biodiversity: 10 pence per metre per year
Dyking: 10 pence per square metre per year.
Inspections and verification
The inspector will check the requirements of the option are being met (as detailed above under 'What you must do') by a visual assessment on the day of inspection.
You must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products and you must avoid damaging or destroying any historic or archaeological features or areas (detailed in previous section).
List of links to relevant technical guidance