Although I've always been aware of the miles of ancient hedgerows that border our country lanes (usually as I cycle around the countryside), it's only since I've been working as a volunteer in countryside management that I've really become very interested in them and their importance to the countryside.

Can anyone recommend a good book detailing the history, care/management, plants, wildlife, etc of hedgerows.

I have heard good things about The Hedgerow Book by Ron Wilson, but I have never read it myself and it is a relatively old book, so it might be a bit of a gamble. I believe it goes into detail about the history of hedgerows as well the wildlife that lives in them.

A History of the Countryside by Oliver Rackham and Hedges (New Naturalist), cannot recall the author, are two good books which cover this topic. Any book by Oliver Rackham is recommended, particularly his latest title "Woodlands" which is volume 100 in the Collins New Naturalist series.

Martin.

Pollard, Hooper & Moore No 58 - Hedges, also H.L. Edlin No 32 - Trees, Woods & Man

Try Birdnet Optics - http://www.birdnet.co.uk/newnat.html for New Naturalists, they specialise in new and second-hand copies. Be aware that fine condition books in the New Nat series are serious money, but if you just want a reading copy and are not bothered about a dustjacket, then cheap copies are available. The Oliver Rackham "Woodlands" volume already sells for around £100, rather than the cover price of £45!

p.s. I like your avatar Timberwolf

This post was last modified: 05-09-2007 09:14 AM by wild canon.

p.s. I like your avatar Timberwolf

Thank you

And thanks for the recommendations.

cough cough cough, what ?!

Wonder if anyone in the US has a copy?

Kingfisher

Over the years I have acquired quite a few New Naturalists on subjects which interest me, Woodlands by Rackham being one of them. I have just watched two titles sell on E Bay. Hebredes for £2007.00 and Larks, Pipits and Wagtails for over £500.00. You can also pay inflated prices for some of the Poyser titles. I would prefer to spend several weeks over the next few years on holidays to Norfolk !

Martin.

Books on eBay can be deceptive. People sometimes pay daft prices for books which are not as genuine as they are made out to be. £2000 for Hebrides is probably around the going rate for a 1st edition in pristine condition with an unfaded and fine condition dustjacket. Not easy to find these days.