Woodland Conservation (Fridays)

Jack Wood

3rd April 2026

Good Friday turned out to be an excellent session for the woodlands when an amazing 23 volunteers turned up in force to reinstate the dead hedge which, just a week ago, was burnt to the ground.

That's another 69 hours' work replacing two-thirds of a hedge that we had built just over a year ago! Frustrating - yes - but an opportunity, as always, to learn and to improve our methods. Our plan - to build in something which would slow down any fire while also protecting the area from trampling. Difficult but we don't give up easily...

Volunteers quickly get to work, litter bags at the ready.

As the workspace was tight, we split into different groups, each playing an important part in restoring these more-open, south-facing slopes - not only holly reduction but, sadly, reducing the number of desire paths criss-crossing the area to prevent further erosion and fragmentation of the habitat. Luckily, we had already timetabled a return to this area.

Group 1, sought out several taller, sturdier holly trees whose trunks were suitable for new fence posts. Other volunteers then set to work, sawing the trunks to size before sharpening the bottoms to a point to make them easier to insert into the compacted earth. Others re-inserted the charred, but still useable, fence posts following the original hedge-line, as well as moved the burnt loose wood to the base.

Group 2, consisting of 5 new volunteers, were given a demonstration of the two tree pullers, including safe handling, plus information on when and how to use a mattock. They then set to work removing the small holly saplings from the slopes - a very rewarding activity, which ensures that the roots are removed too.

Group 3, who were to be the main hedge builders once the material was available, began on the highest area of the slope, pulling emerging bracken, brambles and ivy to give new seedlings the best possible chance of success before moving onto the hedging when the time was right.

So what did we do? Our aim was to create something that would both prevent walkers from compacting the soil and fragmenting the habitat but which would also slow down the speed of any future hedge fires (please no!). We rebuilt a good stretch of the dead hedge, as it had been built before then, we inserted a hazel post and binder fence 3-4 metres in length following one side of the hedge. If it works, the result should be that fire spreading along some of the material has nowhere to go, and the other side should be slowed down as the material changes from thin, dry and crisp to thicker and woodier, which will take the flames longer to take a hold (fingers crossed).

A hazel post and binder fence inserted into the standard dead hedge

Anyone who has already walked past will have seen that we haven't finished yet so we will be back to continue our clearance of the slope and to continue the hedging on the other side of the fire break.

And, as usual, we didn't let a Bank Holiday of volunteering go by without some kind of recognition - we shared the traditional, Good Friday snack of Hot Cross Buns in our breaktime, while we had a good old rest and a good old chat - with both new and core volunteers.

What a great way of respecting this wonderful world in which we live!

Why don't you join our friendly group of volunteers? Contact Christine at:

oxleas.volunteers@gmail.com