Estate volunteers plant new native hedging

The Dulwich Estate’s staff team took part in a day of hedge-planting as part of a volunteer community day. Around 1,200 bare root “whips”, approximately 40cm tall are being planted, along 240 metres of the eastern boundary of the Dulwich Golf Course, where it meets the neighbouring woodland. The UK native selected species include an attractive blend of flowering, evergreen, scented, and fruit bearing shrubs such as wayfaring tree, buckthorn, dogwood, crab-apple, hornbeam, and holly.

This new multi stem hedging will create valuable roosting habitat and food sources for a wide range of birds and small mammals. Once established, it will also soften and screen the existing metal boundary fence, enhance the natural character of the landscape, and contribute to a more welcoming outlook for rest and recreation.

Beyond its visual and ecological benefits, the hedging will help reduce surface water run off during heavy rainfall, buffer the exposed edge of the ancient woodland, and support the wider ecological restoration work already underway.

This initiative supports The Dulwich Estate’s Sustainability Strategy and the Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Golf Club’s ambition to achieve GEO Certification by 2026 - the leading sustainability standard for the golf industry.