How to tell the age of..................
- Thread starter Jack
- Start date
There is a thing called hoopers rule. Invented in the 1970's (I think?) by..... um.... Mr Hooper.
Take 30m of hedge-row and count the number of different species that make up the hedge. This is its age in centuries.
Don't know how accurate this is.... its all averages and statistics
Ed
oh and I'm pretty sure its in a 30m length.... I have read in books that you count the number os species in 27m of hedge.... and seen on the internet 100m.
Take 30m of hedge-row and count the number of different species that make up the hedge. This is its age in centuries.
Don't know how accurate this is.... its all averages and statistics
Ed
oh and I'm pretty sure its in a 30m length.... I have read in books that you count the number os species in 27m of hedge.... and seen on the internet 100m.
T
theknight
Guest
Hi Jack
The age of a hedge ? Oliver Rackams book "The illustrated History of the Countryside" Says
Hooper's Rule is
".... the number of tree and shrub species in a 30 yard length of hedge is equal to the age the hedge in centuries."
Dr Rackam goes on to say that the rule works as far back as 1,100 years but not earlier. Also that it does not distinguish Anglo-Saxon from Roman hedges but it does differentiate between Medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Enclosure Act hedges.
I hope that helps you Jack. With your knowledge it probably will. Me on the other hand it would not help because I don't know enough species. I'm working on it but my slow slow brain makes it is a slow slow business.
Jon.
The age of a hedge ? Oliver Rackams book "The illustrated History of the Countryside" Says
Hooper's Rule is
".... the number of tree and shrub species in a 30 yard length of hedge is equal to the age the hedge in centuries."
Dr Rackam goes on to say that the rule works as far back as 1,100 years but not earlier. Also that it does not distinguish Anglo-Saxon from Roman hedges but it does differentiate between Medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Enclosure Act hedges.
I hope that helps you Jack. With your knowledge it probably will. Me on the other hand it would not help because I don't know enough species. I'm working on it but my slow slow brain makes it is a slow slow business.
Jon.
'Hoopers rule' is more commonly known as 'Hoopers hedgerow hypothesis' (which I think has a great ring to it!) but in using it there are a few things to watch.
First, using it to date hedges very near or in settlements can cause problems as often a disproportionate number of species have found their way into the hedge (i.e. by deliberate introduction in the past or from increased proximity to gardens). This can upset your final 'guestimate'.
Secondly, don't count species which are not 'native' to the area or this country (an obvious example would be leylandii - the fast growing conifers everyone loves to hate!)
Thirdly, in the last 30+ years there has been a trend to plant a combination of native species when establishing new hedgerows - be sure your 600 year old hedge isn't really 16!! A simple check here is to look at height and girth of the hedge species - older hedges are bigger and thicker.
Another indication that you have an old hedge is the ground flora beneath it - old hedges have been habitats for a long time and will have a wide variety of species growing in and beneath them. Many of our oldest hedges were once part of a woodland and so can be especially rich. Species associated with old woodland include wood anemone and bluebell, however there is an element of regional variation (check up with your local wildlife trust - they may even have identified all the old hedgerows in your area already).
Hawthorn or blackthorn hedges with few / no additional species can usually be dated back to the Enclosures Acts fairly reliably. As a final cautionary note, the only truly accurate date for a hedge is the one you have written documentation of!!
Hope this helps
Bob :-D
P.S. The distance of hedgerow measured is 30 metres, approx. 100 feet.
First, using it to date hedges very near or in settlements can cause problems as often a disproportionate number of species have found their way into the hedge (i.e. by deliberate introduction in the past or from increased proximity to gardens). This can upset your final 'guestimate'.
Secondly, don't count species which are not 'native' to the area or this country (an obvious example would be leylandii - the fast growing conifers everyone loves to hate!)
Thirdly, in the last 30+ years there has been a trend to plant a combination of native species when establishing new hedgerows - be sure your 600 year old hedge isn't really 16!! A simple check here is to look at height and girth of the hedge species - older hedges are bigger and thicker.
Another indication that you have an old hedge is the ground flora beneath it - old hedges have been habitats for a long time and will have a wide variety of species growing in and beneath them. Many of our oldest hedges were once part of a woodland and so can be especially rich. Species associated with old woodland include wood anemone and bluebell, however there is an element of regional variation (check up with your local wildlife trust - they may even have identified all the old hedgerows in your area already).
Hawthorn or blackthorn hedges with few / no additional species can usually be dated back to the Enclosures Acts fairly reliably. As a final cautionary note, the only truly accurate date for a hedge is the one you have written documentation of!!
Hope this helps
Bob :-D
P.S. The distance of hedgerow measured is 30 metres, approx. 100 feet.
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