Early Summer Conservation Update

Our regular volunteer working parties happen once a month on the third Sunday.  
The focus is on improving the woodland as an area where native plants flourish at all levels and to encourage a range of habitats that are inviting for invertebrates, birds and mammals.

Rhododendron

Rhododendron Removal remains a constant task.  It is the Ponticum variety with purple flowers that causes the most damage to our native trees.  Unfortunately, it grows so densely that every other species is crowded out.

Ditches

Drainage has also been a significant problem in the past and the woodland can still be very wet in places particularly along the back of the houses on Dorset Way.  To combat this, we work regularly to maintain the ditches we have already cleared and plan to re-establish the ones yet to be reached.

Footpaths

The woodland is used regularly by members of the public and to help manage footfall we clear away mud, edge the most used footpaths and trim back undergrowth.  You might also see some hedge like structures in areas where we have cleared back the rhododendron.  These dead hedges have a few functions, providing habitats for invertebrates, following the lines of existing pathways they help direct visitors away from areas where younger plants are trying to grow.

What has changed in the past Six years

Since our work began in 2020 there are significantly fewer mature Sweet Chestnut trees. This is not due to any work we have undertaken but as these trees were all planted within a similar period of time many are reaching maturity at the same time. 
As a consequence of this and combined with the work we have done removing rhododendron, there are now gaps opening up in the canopy.  This in turn allows more light to reach the wood floor and our volunteers have been able to plant saplings of smaller native tree species which are beginning to support a more diverse woodland environment.

Wild flowers

Earlier in the year we were pleased to see the native bluebells planted as bulbs last autumn come into flower. We hope their seed will spread and they will become established in new places. Another success is the foxglove which has found areas to grow in that would have been too dark previously.

Tree Planting 

For the past three years we have planted small native saplings in the areas previously populated by rhododendron.  Many of these are becoming established.  Equally encouraging still are the hawthorn and rowan trees which have self-seeded and appear to be flourishing in several areas where the ground was previously bare.

Coppicing

Fox Hill woodland is protected by law and we work very closely with the guidance of Wokingham countryside services.  With the correct permission we were able to coppice some of the Hazel trees for the second year in a row.  This has also helped to lower the woodland canopy and given the trees a new lease of life.