Kingston University, Rhododendron Clearance, Saturday January 25th, 2014

Again, the Environment Trust teamed up with the Kingston University Biodiversity Group to remove invasive rhododendron from the Kingston Hill campus. For a change the weather cooperated, and a team of around 30 students and volunteers worked to clear a large area of woodland. This week we had a young volunteer photographer, Ashleigh, to record our activities. Thank you Ashleigh. Volunteering with the Environment Trust is a great way to fulfil the volunteering portion of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. As long as you're accompanied by an adult, young people under 16 are very welcome to join our activities, and to help improve your local green spaces for people and wildlife.

Volunteers from Kingston University and Marymount International School begin to cut the rhododendron (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

The group gathers for a tea break in the winter sun (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

Nothing is too daunting for these volunteers.

Along the lawn, the extent of the rhododendron growth can be seen (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

Coombehurst House, once owned by Florence Nightingale's aunt and uncle, and now home to the university's music department, is surrounded by rhododendron. 

A tangle of rhododendron is inhospitable to wildlife (Photo by Ashleigh P.). 

 

On nearby oak trees, mosses thrive.

A ladybird is seen on a silver birch tree, demonstrating how mild the weather has been. 

In no time, the rhododendron jungle is cut down to size ...  (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

... and moved towards the chipper (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

The university's Green Team bring out the serious tools (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

A local resident demonstrates 'how not to be seen' (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

Old tree guards were also removed to be reused (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

And, Coombehurst House can again be seen through the birch trees. Perhaps Florence Nightingale strolled through the woodland here.

A sign explains why the rhododendron is being removed. 

A close-up of Rhododendron ponticum (Photo by Ashleigh P.).

Even rhododendron bashers need to put their feet up occasionally.