Question

Best orientation in single hedge row is?

• A. North-South
• B. East-West
• C. North-East
• D. South-East

Hint:

Hedge row orientation affects sunlight exposure:
North-South: Both east and west sides of the hedge get good sunlight during different parts of the day. This promotes even growth within the hedge and is often preferred for maximizing light capture and minimizing shading of adjacent areas.
East-West: The south side gets full sun, but the north side can be heavily shaded.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

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

Answer 2

Alternate approach - shadow movement principle:
Instead of analysing light received by each side, think about the shadow a hedge row casts through the day. In an East-West hedge, the shadow it throws on its northern side stays largely fixed through the day (in the Northern Hemisphere), keeping that strip permanently shaded and starving nearby plants of light. A North-South hedge, on the other hand, throws its shadow east in the morning and west in the afternoon, so the shadow keeps moving and no strip of ground stays shaded all day. The diagonal orientations (North-East, South-East) only give a compromise between these two extremes. Since a moving, non-cumulative shadow is best for both the hedge and the crop beside it, the North-South orientation is preferred.