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Invasive Species

Have you seen our Woodland Conservation Groups in Oxleas Woodlands?

Those of you who get out and about in Oxleas Woodlands will have spotted our hard-working volunteers in their yellow hi-vis vests carrying out activities to protect and conserve the woodlands for future generations. This does not, as you would expect, happen without a great deal of planning and organisation and, as the group sizes grow, so does the amount of time put into this aspect.

How do we decide what we will do?

As you will know, this could not happen without the cooperation of the landowners, the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Parks and Open Spaces Department, with which we have created a joint plan. This sets out the key ecological issues that exist within the woodlands and suggests the amount of attention which should be given to dealing with each aspect. For example, the highest priority of all is given to, as you will no doubt guess:

Removing invasive and competitive species such as rhododendron, cherry laurel, and our native holly.

So, you will understand now why you see us clearing so much of it from the sunny slopes, and also from along the edges of the pathways.

This is a photo of volunteers clearing a holly stand. You will see that nothing is growing beneath and around it.

But why do we remove these species?

The simple answer to that question is that both species spread very quickly, and cast deep shade on the woodland floor, preventing native shrubs and flowers from growing beneath them. Then, as they spread, we lose more and more of our beautiful ancient woodland species, like wood anemone, bluebells etc. Additionally, they cast that same deep shade on the woodland pathways, meaning that the paths take much longer to dry out, making them muddier for much longer, and we don’t want that do we?

This is Wood Anenome, a species that indicates woodland has been on the area for thousands of years. You will see that in some places there are quite large patches. In others you will see just small areas. If you look carefully, you will see how well they thrive when they get sufficient light.

Where have we done some holly and cherry laurel clearance?

A year ago, we spent several weeks clearing holly from within and around an area which sits below the main path running past our newly planted gardens. As the ‘dancing daffodils’ die down, watch out for our beautiful native bluebells pushing through.

Nor is the holly and cherry laurel wasted as all vegetation cut back in the woodlands stays in the woodlands. We use it to create ‘dead’ hedges to protect areas while they regenerate. These hedges also act as habitat and wildlife corridors for small mammals, invertebrates, etc. and, as the vegetation rots down, fungus helps the process too helping valuable nutrients return to the earth to feed a new generation of flora and funga.

Not only is this area now a light dappled space but walkers can see the spring flowers from three different sides, bringing brightness during the dull winter months.

That’s what we call a success, and we hope you do too!