Hedgerows are dense vegetation (perennial grasses, shrubs, and trees) planted along the edges of fields. An ancient feature of agricultural landscapes throughout the world, hedgerows are increasingly recognized for their significant ecological benefits.
These benefits include:
- Increases biodiversity with habitat for wildlife including birds, insects and mammals.
- Serves as field boundaries and creates natural windbreaks.
- Improves ecosystem function and resiliency.
- Protects and improves both water runoff and groundwater quality.
- Provides supplemental food such as fruits, nuts, and herbs.
- Supports natural enemies of common crop pests and crop pollinators.
Hedgerows planted primarily with local California natives support higher populations of common and rare birds, as well as insects, bats and other wildlife. Our hedgerow is predominantly local placer county natives: Coffeeberry, redbud, skunk bush, coyote bush, buckbrush, foothill penstemon and perennial bunch grasses (purple needle grass and deer grass).