They'd have 'flailed' the hedge. And yes, this would encourage new growth down the side of the hedge, which is what is needed to keep a hedge a hedge.
Factoid - generally, hedges are taller than in the olden days because years ago the height of a hedge was largely determined by how high someone could wield a hand held blade. And, the bottom needed to be thick to stop livestock getting through, which was partly the point of having a hedge in the first place. 'Laying' a hedge also made it more impenetrable.
They'd have 'flailed' the hedge. And yes, this would encourage new growth down the side of the hedge, which is what is needed to keep a hedge a hedge.
ReplyDeleteFactoid - generally, hedges are taller than in the olden days because years ago the height of a hedge was largely determined by how high someone could wield a hand held blade. And, the bottom needed to be thick to stop livestock getting through, which was partly the point of having a hedge in the first place. 'Laying' a hedge also made it more impenetrable.