John Elwell reports on Sunday’s work party: “This was the first work party following our summer break, and what a fantastic turnout! No fewer than 20 volunteers, including a good number of newcomers and 4 Duke of Edinburgh candidates. The weather was fine, and pleasantly cool for working. We worked mostly along the western path and boundary, coppicing some Elder and Wych Elm, and also removing small Sycamore and Norway Maple. These last two species are rather invasive (Norway Maple is non-native), and keeping them under control helps to prevent them outcompeting other species. Some very small ones were uprooted using tree poppers, but most had to be cut down. They will doubtless grow again and will need to be cut down again, but we now prefer not to use plastic glyphosate plugs to kill off the stumps. The brash from all this work was used to block off a number of gaps in the western boundary hedge. With so many eager hands, we accomplished far more than expected. Thanks to all.”
