The Cornish Hedge could be an interesting project for anyone clearing land with an abundance of stone. They can provide an ancient solution to an age-old problem of what to do with rocks pulled from the soil.
If you're lucky enough to visit Cornwall in the southwest of England, you'll find over 30,000 miles of beautiful stones walls known to the locals as hedges. They are marvelous structures, first built over the centuries to maintain boundaries for livestock. Some of the oldest hedges in the region date back to neolithic times. Typically the hedges are around five feet in height and both sides of the hedge are tapered stone structures. I first came across the Cornish Hedge while visit Falmouth, England.
What makes the Cornish Hedge unique is way it is constructed. The base of hedge is equal to its height. So, for example, a five foot tall hedge ought to have a a five foot wide base. The largest stones are placed on bottom as footers and as the hedge gains height, progressively smaller stones are placed closer to the top to achieve a tapering effect. A well built Cornish Hedge would have measurements of at the top that approximate half of the width of the base.
To form each tapered side of the hedge, rectangular shaped stones are positioned so that longer side is perpendicular to the run of the hedge. While this method requires more stone, it gives greater strength and improves the structural integrity.
Once both sides of the hedge are completed, the void in between the tapered walls needs to be filled in with soil. The harder, compacted subsoil makes the ideal fill, with top soil and all organic material placed as close to the top of the hedge as possible. This method allows plants to spring out from the top of the hedge, creating a beautiful blend between the stone hedge and vibrant wildflowers. Cornish hedge best show their age by the abundance of plants and pollinators that make them home.
Learn more about Cornish Hedges and how to build them from the Guild of Cornish Hedgers.