The orientation of hedge rows can significantly impact the amount of sunlight received by the plants in the hedge and by adjacent crops or areas.
(1) North-South orientation: When a single hedge row is oriented North-South, both its eastern and western sides receive direct sunlight for a significant portion of the day. The eastern side gets morning sun, and the western side gets afternoon sun. This generally leads to more uniform light distribution along the entire length of both sides of the hedge, promoting even growth. It also minimizes the extent of prolonged shading on areas immediately to its north or south compared to an East-West hedge. This is often considered the best orientation for maximizing light interception by the hedge itself and minimizing shading of adjacent areas in many agricultural and horticultural contexts, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
(2) East-West orientation: An East-West oriented hedge will have its southern side exposed to full sun for most of the day, while its northern side will be in shade for much of the day, especially during winter or at higher latitudes. This can lead to uneven growth and can cast a long shadow to its north.
(3) North-East & (4) South-East: These diagonal orientations will have intermediate effects, with one side receiving more morning or afternoon sun depending on the exact angle.
For optimal light exposure to both sides of a single hedge row and for more balanced light conditions for plants within the hedge, a North-South orientation is generally preferred.
North-South