We spent the morning helping the Tree Musketeers to manage a hedgerow in Stoke Newington Common.

Several years ago, the Stoke Newington Common User Group - also known as the Common People - had planted a hedgerow to hide the railway line which crosses the park. We we there to help bring it back into control.

When we arrived, Russell from the Tree Musketeers taught us why it was so important to manage our hedgerows. Railway lines also act as important highways for animals such as hedgehogs and foxes to get around London avoiding the roads, so it's important to keep the hedges alongside them in a good state for the wildlife.

We heard what we should be aspiring to - a shorter, dense, bushy hedge is better for wildlife to nest in than a tall straggly one. So the group got to work, cutting back the dogwood, hawthorn and blackthorn - noting the best place to find sloes when gin season comes! The front of the hedge was cut to knee-height, then getting progressively higher up to head-height at the back. This provides variety for the animals to build a home in, and also allows the light to penetrate the hedge better, keeping it healthy.

After a couple of hours work, avoiding thorns, falling branches and unusual objects - perfume anyone? - the group hung up their tools and called it a day.

Several attendees were off to a second mission that afternoon at St Joseph's Hospice, so headed towards central Hackney, via Broadway Market for some lunch in the park before the next mission.

For anyone interested, there'll be another community mission with the Tree Musketeers next Saturday near Hackney Marshes, and some further missions around Stoke Newington with the Common People in April so keep an eye out!