Hedge (A.S. hege, another form of haga, whence modern haw; cf. Ger. hag. The Fr. haie is of Teutonic origin), a living or growing fence, in contradistinction to wall, paling, &c., used for the purposes of enclosure, shelter, and ornament in connection with agriculture, forestry, and gardening. Hedges are very much used in some parts of the world, whilst others, equally cultivated, are almost destitute of them. Thus, whilst they are very common in many parts of Britain, they are comparatively rare in France and Germany, as well as in America. They are formed of many kinds of trees and shrubs according to the purpose in view, the nature of the exposure, the elevation of the site, and the soil in which they are to be planted. It is essential, whatever plant may be used, that it should bear without injury the degree of annual pruning necessary to keep it trim and within the proper limits of a fence.
For the purposes of agriculture and forestry Hawthorn (q.v.) is almost universally employed in Britain wherever the conditions of soil and situation are favourable to its growth. When properly attended to, especially in respect of annual pruning, it is the most effectual fence for domestic animals, and also an excellent shelter. On elevated sites, those exceeding 1000 feet above sea-level, it does not succeed well. In such positions elder, mountain ash, &c. are planted for shelter in the form of hedges, but are deficient in the other qualities of a fence. Beech-hedges are familiar in some districts. Substitutes for hawthorn in providing shelter by the seaside are found in sea-buckthorn, snowberry, scarlet dogwood, sloe, wild-pear, &c., but none of them are of value in repelling cattle. Ornamental hedges are formed of holly, yew—the latter is regarded as poisonous when eaten by cattle, horses especially, and should therefore be selected only for positions which they cannot approach—arbor vitæ, laurel, privet, barberry, both evergreen and deciduous; beech, hornbeam, &c. In some parts of the west of Scotland and Wales, and in the south of England and many parts of the coast of Ireland, permanent hedges of fuchsia, arbutus, and other beautiful evergreen or flowering shrubs are to be found, though they will not endure the cold of inland and east coast districts in the same latitudes.
In the United States the English hawthorn is useless as a hedge-plant, as the foliage is late, is destroyed by the heat, and is much infested by insects; the native thorns are little better. In various parts of the states where hedges are employed serviceable plants are bodock (see Bois d'ARC), honey locust, pyricanth, the Macartney rose, buckthorn, barberry, &c.
Hedges were in use among the ancient Romans, chiefly for the enclosure of vineyards and gardens. It is probable that they have existed in England since the times of the Romans, although not very common till the end of the 17th century; but they are supposed to have been first introduced into Scotland and Ireland by the officers of Cromwell's armies.