5 people with hi vis vests standing around a 'dead hedge' placing sticks and logs in between posts to create a snake of brash. One person's back is visible and you can read the words 'Friends of Gipton Woods'.

April 2026 dead hedge creation

On Saturday 4th April, a merry band of volunteers shook off the Easter chocolates and embraced the season by continuing our long‑term project to create a ‘dead hedge’ along the Copgrove Road boundary of the wood. This is beginning to provide a natural way to deter motor vehicles from entering the site, and we think it’s looking rather elegant as it snakes its way amongst the trees.

Not so dead?

Despite the name, a dead hedge is full of life. By stacking branches close together, you can create a wonderful habitat for insects and birds. The dense structure provides a safe place for birds to forage or nest, away from the beaks and claws of predators.

If you feel inspired to create your own dead hedge, you can find more information about the wildlife benefits and a step‑by‑step guide on the RSPB website.

Join a monthly Volunteer Action Morning to be part of the team!

We’ll be continuing this project through the next year, so check the events page to find the next dead hedge creation session.

Similar Posts

  • Midsummer Magic

    It was a cool rainy day, but over forty people turned up to enjoy our Midsummer Magic event on Saturday 6 June. There was a fantastic woodland den using fallen branches collected from round and about in the wood. Others created flower crowns or bug hotels to support local nature. It was clear from people’s…

  • Dead Hedging

    For our May Volunteer Action Day we met up to put in a dead hedge along part of Copgrove Road by an informal entrance to the wood. This consisted of stakes driven into the ground about 2 metres apart in a one metre wide double row. This was then filled with dead branches and twigs…

  • Summer Party 2025

    Our 25th Anniversary was celebrated in style at the annual Gipton Wood Summer Fayre on June 7th. This include a nature trail, treasure hunt and, woodland crafts with delicious home made cakes , roasted marshmallows over a fire pit and hotdogs. A lovely community event enjoyed by over 150 people.

  • Ecology Survey

    Brooks Ecological have completed an Ecology Survey of Gipton Wood finding that the Wood is in excellent condition, thanks, in part, to the work of the Friends. A huge thank you to Roundhay Environmental Action Project (REAP) and Morley Glass for funding this survey. This survey wasn’t to tell us about what we have in…

  • SEPTEMBER FUN

    On Saturday 6th September, the Friends of Gipton Wood hosted a community event with a lively Forest School and a bring and share stall with produce from our gardens and kitchens. Over 60 local residents came and enjoyed the day. The Forest School, led by Dora, Laura and Christine explored the themes of Fire, Water…

  • Fungi Foray

    Over 30 people gathered in Gipton Wood on a very wet Sunday afternoon (19th October 2025) for the annual FOGW Fungi Foray.   Wildlife expert Steve Joul led the group, sharing his extensive knowledge not only of the fungi but of other aspects of wildlife in the wood.  Very quickly our eyes to adjust to spotting…