June is the month when the nettles and brambles beside the paths really become a problem. Fortunately Notts Wildlife Trust have scythes we can borrow and a volunteer, Nick Mills, to show us how to use them. (Thank you Nick!) This month we had 9 members at the work party and split into two groups. The scything group focussed on those places along the main and western paths where the encroachment was worst. In other sections some work was done with grass hooks and loppers.
The other group undertook maintenance of whips planted last winter on the western boundary of the wood. We had experimented with simply supporting the whips with canes rather than canes with (expensive) biodegradable guards. Although many of these were doing well, some were flopping and needed to be tied to their canes. Jute twine was used to give them some support. Water was provided to half a dozen plants which were showing signs of struggling. A number of canes were recovered where whips had been doubly caned.
These tasks completed, we finished at around 12:30 today
Mike Rivett
