[ScribbleUk]

Hi,

I'm planning on installing some stock fencing this year in the field.  The field already has some pretty good hedging that has barb running through it as well. I was wondering whether the stock fencing needs to be as close to the hedge as possible, or do people leave a working gap to all access to the hedge for trimming or other maintenance?

Thanks.

[Stereo]

Up to you really but if you do leave a gap, make sure it's big enough. It won't get grazed so you'll have to get in there if you want to sort brambles etc. If it's tight to the hedge and you have stock they will keep it upright at least but cattle / horses may also try to lean over to grab stuff on top which may not be ideal.

[Fleecewife]

I hate barbed wire - evil stuff.  First thing we did here was to remove it all.

We planted our hedges from fresh, so slightly different situation.  We put a double fence a couple of metres apart, with the hedge down the middle.  Cattle on the far side, so had to put in a high extra strand of tensioned wire (on taller stobs) to stop the cattle jumping in (huge cows flicking up their heels and hopping over - quite funny except for what they did to the hedge).  But with an established hedge that wouldn't be a problem.  If you maintain your hedge by laying then you will need to be able to get at it periodically to do the work, that or remove the fence temporarily.  If you are trimming using mechanical means then you don't really need so much space.  We have sheep on our side and they keep the sides trimmed to just above the top of the wire (they stand on their back legs and stretch up a surprisingly long way).  For the hedges we trim, we work above that line, but those we lay are more of a problem for access.
If your hedge is big and bushy then having the fence up against it wouldn't be a problem - the sides would be trimmed by your animals, the top would stay big and bushy.

[ScribbleUk]

Thanks - think we will get it up close to the hedge as possible.

[Marches Farmer]

If you get the hedge laid first then it will both thicken up and not need redoing for around 15 years, depending on what part of the country you're in.

[twizzel]

We've been stock fencing today, as close to hedge as possible and run a strand of barbed wire along top of posts to stop cattle rubbing.

[Dogwalker]

Or keep it wide of the hedge trunks so your goats can't kill it debarking it.
My neighbour calls mine giraffes after he caught them debarking the hedge he's laid and fenced for me.  I'd told him twice the distance he thought right.

[Catweazle]

A previous owner put up a wire fence 2 metres from the dry stone walls / hedges.  The area between the two is now full of fallen branches from the trees,  brambles,  ferns and is a haven for rabbits.

If I was replacing it I'd put the fence right up to the hedge.