EFFECTS OF CUTTING ON THE GROWTH OF CRATAEGUS-MONOGYNA (HAWTHORN) IN HEDGES

Effects of the position and timing of cutting on shoot growth of young Crataegus monogyna plants in newly-planted hedges were studied. Total shoot length was unaffected by cutting. In general, a combination of both vertical and horizontal cutting produced a tall hedge with long, bud-tipped shoots. The timing of cut was important: a horizontal cut in summer resulted in fewer but longer shoots whereas a vertical cut in summer produced more thorn-tipped shoots. A vertical cut in winter resulted in longer shoots than one in summer and reduced the number which were thorn-tipped. Management types of farm hedges could be characterised by various growth parameters. Hand-cut hedges had numerous short shoots and many older-wood branches per unit area, whereas unmanaged ones had a greater leaf area and longer shoots. Summer-flailed hedgerows were characterised by a smaller leaf area although this may have been partly due to Galium aparine L. infestation. The use of the flail on the current season's growth did not significantly retard growth the following year. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited