Hedgerow Destruction in Norfolk 1946 - 1970

by W W Baird & J R Tarrant

Published by University of East Anglia 1975 - 30 Pages - Black & White Line Drawn Maps

"Hedgerow Destruction in Norfolk 1946–1970" by W.W. Baird is a landmark study published by the University of East Anglia’s School of Environmental Studies. It documents the widespread removal of hedgerows across Norfolk during the post-war decades, a period marked by agricultural intensification and mechanisation.

Historical Context: The book situates hedgerow loss within the broader post-WWII push for increased food production, driven by government policy and technological change.

Environmental Impact: It explores the ecological consequences of hedgerow removal, including habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, and changes to soil and water systems.

Mapping and Data: Baird provides detailed surveys and maps showing the extent of hedgerow destruction across Norfolk parishes, offering one of the earliest quantitative assessments of landscape change.

Policy Critique: The study critiques the lack of protective legislation and calls attention to the long-term costs of short-term agricultural gains.

This work is often cited as a foundational text in British environmental history and conservation, especially for those studying rural landscape change.

Condition: 1975 Reprint Centre of East Anglian Studies, University of East Anglia Soft Back Book. Very Good+ Condition. Slight / minor surface wear to the covers (see image), binding solid all pages retained by the original staples. Pages are clean and bright.