Hedgerows
GLAS & Hedgerows
Under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, the Green Low-carbon Environmental Scheme (GLAS) included planting new hedgerows as an option.
The GLAS scheme operated in three tranches, planting a new hedgerow was an option available in GLAS1.
Hedgerows option was very popular under GLAS1.
Hedgerow planting option was suspended under GLAS 2 & 3.
There are just under 49,119 active farmers participating in the GLAS scheme, almost 15% of these planted a new hedgerow as part of their GLAS plan.
The minimum length of a new hedgerow that can be planted under the GLAS specifications is 10m.
GLAS participants were paid €5/metre of new hedgerow planted for each year of the 5 years of the scheme, provided the hedgerow met the specifications set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
Note: new hedgerows have to be a few years old before they can be detected by imagery.

Where the Planting New Hedgerow action is taken on a farm boundary, the GLAS participant must ensure it is planted in such a manner that he/she has control of both sides of the new hedgerow and that he/she can maintain both sides of the new hedgerow. Note, where a fence has been erected under TAMS, the Planting of New Hedgerow Action cannot be planted inside of this fence.
Trees cannot be planted on Natura land.
Requirements from GLAS Specification
- Plant 6 plants per metre in a double row of whitethorn and/or blackthorn and/or holly by 31st March 2017.
- The minimum linear length that must be planted is 10 metres and this must be in a single continuous length.
- The maximum length for which GLAS funding is available is 200 metres per holding.
- The location and length (metres) must be identified on the LPIS parcel(s) and marked on the map submitted. The new hedge must be a standalone hedge and not placed against an existing hedgerow or stone wall.
- Plants must be purchased from registered producers or registered grower s – see below.
- All newly planted hedges whether planted in a grass or tillage field must be fenced off and protected from livestock, from the time the hedge is planted. However, where the newly planted hedgerow bounds a private laneway, public road or watercourse, fencing is not required on the laneway/road or water body side as long as the hedge is not being damaged by livestock. The fence must be stockproof and fit for purpose.
- Grass and other competing vegetation must be controlled.
- Plants must be trimmed over the course of the contract to ensure a dense hedgerow develops.
- Failed or dead plants must be replaced at the earliest possible planting opportunity.
Mapping Hedgerows
Stuart Green, Teagasc
Meath Hedgerow Survey
report not found
possible match is Woodland and Hedgerow Survey, prepared for Meath County Council. Atkins, Dublin. Soltys Brewster Consulting (2007)
West Galway Hedgerow Survey
report not found
East Galway Hedgerow Survey (2006)
Sligo Hedgerow Survey (2008)
West Kerry and Dingle Peninsula Hedgerow Survey
report not found