Woodland Conservation

Jack Wood

25th April 2025

Two new volunteers were amongst the sixteen volunteers who turned out on this lovely sunny day, primarily to complete maintenance on the news sets of steps within Jack Wood.

We split into five groups, one for each of the three flights of steps and two groups using the new tree-pullers (our newest tools which are making light work of our previous battles).

Each of the three groups performing steps maintenance loaded a wheelbarrow of coxwell gravel that is used to address trip hazards that have developed when the original filling has settled. First they clean the steps by forking out the plants growing in the joint areas, and scrape off the accumulated mud, then they give them a sweep before adding the gravel and compacting it as much as possible with a tamper or hammer.

The two groups with tree poppers were looking for holly stumps left from previous clearance, young holly, sycamore and laurel. The tree popper is a giant lever that allows the plants to be removed from the ground, usually this is quite easy but occasionally we need to use a mattock to loosen the roots. It's a very satisfying experience when those roots pop out!

We give full training and you can choose the work you do. Why not be our next new volunteer. email oxleas.volunteers@gmail.com