A hedge, also known as a hedgerow, is a dense arrangement of shrubs and occasionally trees that are intentionally planted and trained to create a physical barrier or demarcate the boundary of a certain region, such as between adjacent properties. Hedges, which serve the purpose of demarcating a road from adjacent fields or between fields, and are mature enough to accommodate larger trees, are referred to as hedgerows.
Frequently, they function as windbreaks in order to enhance the environmental conditions for neighboring crops, as observed in bocage country. Hedges, when properly pruned and cared after, can be considered a basic type of topiary. A hedge frequently functions as, and occasionally referred to as, a “live fence”.
These structures can be categorized as either individual fence posts that are interconnected using wire or other fencing materials, or as densely grown hedges that lack interconnecting wire. This is a prevalent occurrence in tropical regions, where economically disadvantaged farmers have the ability to divide their plots and minimize the upkeep of fence posts that would otherwise degrade quickly. Various additional advantages can be acquired based on the selected species.
