At Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus
Rhododendron ponticum, planted for its attractive flowers that bloom in early spring, has been allowed to grow unchecked in the numerous woodland areas that surround the site. The plants spread vegetatively as well by seed, with each flower head producing between 3000-7000 seeds, meaning that each plant is capable of producing millions of seeds. When Rhododendron becomes dominant in an oak woodland, like the one at KU, it shades out native species with its dense evergreen foliage and produces a huge amount of leaf litter that adds to the problem. There is also some evidence to suggest that the soil chemistry is altered by the presence of Rhododendron, making the soil unsuitable for native plants to grow. Furthermore, the fungal pathogen
Phytophera ramorum that causes sudden oak death, has also been associated with
Rhododendron ponticum,
which is just another reason for getting rid of it.
With this in mind a group of KU student volunteers, taking part in
London Student Volunteering Fortnight, set to work with loppers, bowsaws and mattocks to rid the woodland of Rhododendron.
Plants were quickly cut down to size, with the height of those yet to be removed seen in the background.
Finally, the native oaks and birch trees have space to breathe.
After a day's work, the woodland is transformed.
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