Farmers in tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) have less than a month to plant new hedgerows under the scheme.

As stated in the scheme specifications for the planting new hedgerows action, the contracted length of the new hedgerow must be planted by planted by the deadline of Sunday, March 31.

According to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, planting material for the ACRES action "remains available and needs to be utilised".

"My department also understands that, while conditions are wet, active planting is taking place," Minister McConalogue added.

Where planting a new hedgerow action is taken on a farm boundary, the applicant must have control of and access, to maintain both sides.

Planting a new hedgerow for ACRES tranche 1 is not permitted on special areas of conservation (SAC), special protection areas (SPA), natural heritage areas (NHA), and proposed natural heritage areas (pNHA).

Planting is also not permitted on breeding wader hotspots, and within archaeological monument buffer zones.

Whitethorn and holly do not tolerate very wet soils, and whitethorn will not thrive at high elevations. Blackthorn is more suited to heavy soils and for coastal exposed sites.

Farmers are urged to take note of what hedge and tree species are thriving in hedgerows in the locality.

If planting a hedgerow to help reduce overland flow, ensure the hedgerow will not be flooded, or become overwhelmed in heavy rain events.

Plant the contracted length of the new hedgerow by March 31, 2024. To be eligible for this action, the minimum continuous length to be delivered is 10m. The maximum length for payment is 750m;
The location and length must be identified on the LPIS (land parcel identification system) parcels and marked on the map submitted. The new hedge must not be placed against an existing hedgerow or stone wall or under the shade of a treeline/woodland;
It is recommended to incorporate a number of species from the list below into the new hedgerow, where possible.
Plants must be of Irish origin or Irish provenance and purchased from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) registered professional operators (DAFM recently amended the requirements for the whitethorn species and removed the requirement for Irish provenance and Irish origin);
All plants purchased for this action must have an accompanying plant passport and participants must ensure that they retain the plant passport(s) for the duration of the contract;
All newly planted hedgerows in a grass or tillage field must be protected from livestock with an appropriate permanent fence. This fence may need to be moved out further as the hedgerow grows and expands;
Grass and other competing vegetation must be controlled around the plants annually to aid establishment;
Failed or dead plants must be replaced in the following planting season.

DAFM recommended hedgerow species for planting:

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa);
Dog Rose (Rosa canina);
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus);
Hawthorn/Whitethorn (Crataegus monogyna);
Hazel (Corylus avellana);
Holly (Ilex aquifolium);
Spindle (Euonymous europaeus);
Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus).

Plant native species that already grow in the local area. Plants should be of native provenance where possible.

Plant one tree at least every 50m from the tree species and let mature without cutting.

Alternatively, leave a hedgerow species mature into a tree every 50m. These should be protected with a tree guard or shelter.

Prepare the ground along a 1.5m wide strip to provide good soil conditions and as little competition from other vegetation as possible.

Take care of roots before planting by keeping them always covered, especially when it is sunny or windy avoiding opening more than one bag of plants at a time.

If you want a hedgerow with a wide base that will always be managed by topping, prune thorn species (except holly) down to 2 to 3cm with a sloping cut to leave a sharp point.

In subsequent years, carry out a second pruning after the first growing season. This should be done when the plants are dormant during the winter period.

Repeat the process again after the second growing season by cutting each of the stems (except holly) back down approximately 3cm above the previous cut.

This will help achieve a dense bushy growth at the base. Compostable film or plastic will be essential for controlling competing vegetation in nutrient rich areas.