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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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hedge,_or_hedgerow
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1992-09-01
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A row of closely planted shrubs or low trees.
It generally acts as a land division and
windbreak; it also serves as a source of food
and as a refuge for wildlife. Generally, the
older a hedge, the more species are found
contained in a given length, roughly one
species per century for a 30 yd kength. About
309 species of plant occur only in hedgerows.
Hedges are part of the landscape in Britain,
N France, Ireland, and New England, USA, but
many have been destroyed to accommodate
altered farming practices and larger
machinery. history Hedges existed in Roman
times (Latin vepris), Since textbooks explain
how to grow them. They are frequently
mentioned in Anglo Saxon charters; the
earliest records in England of planting a
hedge is 940 in Wiltshire. During the period
of enclosures an estimated 200,000 mi of
hedges were planted, probably as much again
as had existed to that date. Between 1945 and
1985, 25% of Britain's hedgerows were
destroyed: 225,000 km/140,000 mi. About
450,000 mi remained in 1990 with an average
width of six feet - a total area of 348,800
acres.