Rows of stone
Each row of stone is smaller than the row below. Stones are laid with the longest face running inwards into the hedge, and are laid vertically (pitched) unless, for new hedges, the stone is better laid on the flat or herringbone. All rows are straight and are horizontal or follow the average run of the ground. No vertical joint extends for more than two rows. All overlaps are more than one-quarter of the running length of the stone (excepting for herringbone courses which interlock with that below).

Every stone fits together with the stones alongside and with the rows below and above, with no gaps. All stones are laid direct stone-on-stone. All stones are load-bearing, and so laid as to be incapable of individual extraction.

A row of projecting stones may be laid below the top course as coping stones to deter sheep or deer. No other stones protrude beyond the line of hedge.

In the absence of coping stones, the top two courses are pitched or laid Jack-and-Jill (herringbone) as done locally.

Trigging (wedging a stone with a small one) is kept to a minimum, at the back only and no stone is trigged twice. Hard stone, and not fill, is used for trigging.

Sufficient fill is dumped along the hedge centre for each layer of not more than 100mm (4"), then dragged by hand to the back of each stone and separately well rammed.
The fill contains less than one-tenth of stones exceeding 25mm (1") with the stonier part of the fill being left in the middle and well rammed.

For new rural hedges, a layer of rabbit-proof plastic-covered wire netting may be laid on the rab across the hedge top under the top course of stone. The wire must not protrude from the hedge face.