A hedgerow is defined as a long, narrow strip of mixed plantings, usually covering an area of 40 feet by 10 feet.

Hedgerows were planted in medieval Europe to keep livestock from roaming or to create borders between neighboring lands.

In the United States, the hedgerow was adopted by settlers as they began to move West and needed to keep livestock penned.

Hedgerows were often tightly planted, staggered rows of Osage orange (hedge apple) trees. The Osage orange hedge was said to be “horse high, hog tight, and bull strong.”

While few 21st century farms use hedgerows to fence their livestock, the hedgerow has found resurgence in rural America.

A hedgerow can provide privacy, noise and air pollution control, a wind and weather barrier, erosion control and a home for birds, wildlife and beneficial insects. An added benefit is an aesthetic view from our windows.

Even if you have a smaller property, you can enjoy the benefits a hedgerow provides.

There are a few things to consider before turning the front or a side of your property into a hedgerow.

If your home is in a development, check with your homeowner's association or your local zoning board to find the guidelines for planting along property edges. It is also important to know how close to the road you are permitted to plant trees or shrubs.

Don't forget to call PA One Call (811) to check for underground utilities before beginning to dig.

Now you are ready to plant a hedgerow. The first step is to measure out the area that you will be planting. Not everyone has an area that is 40 feet long; a smaller area can be planted with the same effect.

I have found it useful to map out the area with marking paint. This will help to determine the number of plants needed and where they will look best.

Consider the amount of sunlight or shade the area receives in a day. Also consider the shade that will be created from the taller trees or shrubs in your planting design.

If the area is currently brush, cut the plants to ground level before beginning.

Cover the area with a layer of cardboard or several layers of newspaper, and then cover with at least 4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. The area can also be covered with leaves or straw.

Let this rest for a few weeks or months before planting your trees and shrubs.

The dimensions of your hedgerow will determine the size and number of trees and shrubs you can plant.

A few pine or Eastern Red Cedar trees make a great backdrop planted closest to the road or back of your border.

Moving forward, add a staggered row of hardwoods such as White Oak, Black Walnut, American Beech, Sugar Maple or Katsura. Placing a few ornamental trees in the front will provide spring color; dogwood, crabapple, serviceberry, and Persian ironwood are hardy and beautiful choices.

The last and closest to your house row should contain flowering shrubs such as viburnum, fothergilla, and sweetspire. Red osier dogwood shrubs add winter color and grape holly provides a touch of evergreen.

A few elderberry or blueberry bushes offer fruit for your family and the birds. You could also plant a few flowering perennials — baptisia is a nitrogen fixer and will support overall health of your hedgerow and milkweeds are hosts for Monarch butterflies.

A hedgerow for an urban setting could be planted with dwarf varieties —- pines, arborvitae, or other small evergreens along the back of the border.

A staggered row of Japanese maples or fruit trees could be placed in front of the pines followed by a few flowering hydrangeas, spireas or weigelas. If gardening space is limited, the front of the hedgerow can serve as an area to plant perennial or annual flowers.

Trees and shrubs planted in a hedgerow should be planted at 75 percent of their recommended planting space to create the dense appearance of the traditional hedgerow.

If you have questions regarding planting a hedgerow or any other gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener GreenLine at 724-287-4761, Ext. 229.