Rhododendron Removal, Kingston University, January 26th

What a difference a week makes. As the north of England struggled under heavy snow, here in the outskirts of the capital we were basking in mid-winter sun, at least for a while. The pleasant weather certainly brought out the volunteers, and there wasn't a single snowman to be seen.
This week, the Environment Trust's Kingston Greenspace Volunteers again teamed up with Kingston University, to help them with their rhododendron problem at Kingston Hill.
Working on a new patch of this invasive plant, we also came across dense thickets of cherry laurel, and even spotted laurel.
It's certainly true to say that many hands make light work, particularly if all those hands are employed for a whole day clearing invasive plants. The photo diary below speaks louder than words about the tremendous effort that was put in by one and all to move towards the goal of eradicating Rhododendron ponticum from the Kingston Hill Campus. Still, we wanted to leave some for next time. The next rhododendron day will be on Saturday February 23rd, a sandwich lunch will be provided.

A pre-event site visit shows an innocuous-looking patch of rhododendron. 

With the sun shining, the team get to work.

Girls from Marymount International School pose for the local media. 

And, then get back to some serious work. 

Tea's up - and the sun's still shining.

Nothing by rhododendron and laurel.

Clearing the rhododendron will allow native plants to colonise this area for the first time in decades. 

Amazing what strange things lurk in the woods - the remains of a vintage (1950s) washing machine. 

Spotted laurel (Aucuba japonica var. variegata).

Ham Common Woods, January 19th

This time last year the Environment Trust's volunteers worked to free the pond from over-shading vegetation and to remove invasive snowberry plants. This year's task was to continue to tackle the snowberry and to cut back vegetation along Ham Gate Avenue. Unfortunately, the first serious snowfall of the winter seriously diminished our volunteer workforce. However, what we lacked in numbers, we made up for in enthusiasm and got stuck in.

Based on the experience of cutting the snowberry back last year, it was decided to attempt to dig out the roots. Without digging out, the snowberry will only continue to spread and threaten native plants, such as bluebells. See the dedicated snowberry page for more details (http://etrutvolunteering.blogspot.co.uk/p/snowberry-symphoricarpos-albus.html).

Never one to miss an advertising opportunity ... 

The pond in 2013, in contrast to 2012, below.

The over-shaded pond in early 2012.

Yew seedling emerging where snowberry has been removed. 

The snowmen in Richmond Park significantly outnumbered our volunteers today. 

The wonderful Richmond Park. 

A perfect day for conservation volunteering - and sledging.

Coombe Wood, Saturday January 13th

Coombe Wood in north Kingston is a remnant coppice wood, dominated by hazel and oak, which has been sadly neglected in recent years. Formerly a London Wildlife Trust reserve, the wood alongside the Kingston by-pass is once again being over-run by rhododendron, and the hazel coppice is in need of reinstatement. The Environment Trust's Kingston Greenspace Volunteers, supported by the Lower Mole Project, took on the task of bringing the woodland back into management.

Kingston Greenspace Volunteers prepare to do battle with the rhododendron. 

 It's surprising how quickly the trailer fills up.

Cabbage Palm (Cordyline australis) thrown over a garden fence, now growing happily in Coombe Wood.   

Rhododendron ponticum without management soon becomes an invasive weed. 

Where rhododendron has been allowed to grow, all other plants are excluded. 

Coombe Wood is bordered by the busy Kingston by-pass. 

A sample of the old interpretation board.

 

Kingston University, January 8th 2013

For our first event of 2013 the Environment Trust's volunteers returned to Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus to continue the job of removing rhododendron from areas of woodland. In November, our group, together with a group of students, cleared a large swathe of very large plants. Almost two months later, it's already possible to see other plants responding to the extra light available in the absence of rhododendron. Several yew seedlings were spotted, as well as holly. As the spring progresses, no doubt other surprises will emerge from amongst the leaves.
However, despite our efforts in November, many of the cut rhododendron stems which had not been removed, were in danger of re-rooting and undoing all our good work. So, today's main task was to try and collect every last shoot and dig up any remain stumps. Larger stumps have been treated with herbicide by the university's Green Team. While not quite as satisfying as cutting down large plants, this task was equally important to ensure that this patch of woodland can be truly rid of rhododendron. Still, repeat visits will be necessary in the years to come to ensure that no stems have been left and that no new seedlings are allowed to develop.
We'll be back again on Saturday January 26th for a full day of rhododendron clearance (10-4), when the plan is to move to another patch of woodland nearby.
Please see the review of the event on Nov. 10th for more details about this site and rhododendron http://www.etrutvolunteering.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/rhododendron-removal-at-kingston.html

Rhododendron piled and ready for removal, with the opened up woodland in the background. 

Saad models a cut rhododendron log with re-rooting shoots.

A yew seedling making the most of a rhododendron-free woodland.

Hazel catkins at nearby Coombe Wood show that spring is just around the corner.

(We'll be here on Sunday Jan. 13th, see side panel for details).