Today the Environment Trust returned to Churchfields Recreation Ground in Chessington, and to St. Mary's churchyard. The old grave yard is edged by an ancient hedge that has become overly tall and with gaps that have been used by people to cut through. The task was to fill the gaps with hurdles made from sycamore harvested from the woodland at the end of the churchyard. By removing the sycamore, the hope is that the woodland flora will benefit, and prevent young woodland on the neighbouring recreation ground becoming invaded by sycamore. A well as filling the gaps with sycamore hurdles, hawthorn whips were planted to provide a prickly barrier.
On the recreation ground itself, tree guards were replaced and stakes where they have 'disappeared' from trees planted in November 2012. We'll be back at Churchfields on Saturday March 1st, to fill the remaining gaps in the hedge, and continue the hazel coppicing in nearby woodland.
John clears sycamore saplings from the woodland.
Early-flowering cow parsley gives a hint of spring.
Bluebells are starting to emerge, although these look to be non-native Spanish.
The hedge has become 'gappy' due to lack of appropriate maintenance.
Ramal works to fill a gap with a natural 'hurdle'.
The finished article should prevent people from taking a short-cut.
This gap was right behind a grave stone.
Another neatly fill gap.
The trees planted in November 2012 are doing well, and already creating habitat diversity at the edge of the field.
Missing tree guards were replaced using some of those salvaged from Osterley Park.
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