Spring – The Wood Awakens

Many cultures have historically seen spring as the rebirth of nature. And while there are earlier signs of life in our gardens and countryside, nature ups the tempo in spring.

While most would regard it as the period from the spring equinox to the summer solstice, meteorologists define it as March to May, which is probably a better reflection of the reality created by our warming climate.

Small mammals come out of hibernation, enticed by rising temperatures and lengthening days. Some insects do too, and others hatch from last year’s eggs. Birds take advantage of increasing food supplies to produce the next generation, and plants break their winter dormancy.

In woodlands, ground cover perennials burst into life to flower and set seed before the tree canopy leafs up and reduces the light levels reaching the ground. Likewise, the shrubs of the understorey aren’t far behind, before the leaf canopy closes.

In Fox Hill, the dominance of non-native rhododendron in the shrub understorey has over time reduced the diversity and vigour of the ground cover perennials. We are aiming to reverse that by removing the alien species and encouraging the return of native ground cover through selective planting of understorey shrubby species and bluebells.

So, this spring, take a walk in Fox Hill and see what progress we’ve made, or maybe even join one of our conservation sessions to get a closer look at a wood waking up from winter.