Woodland Conservation Group

Tuesday, 20th May 2025

Shepherdleas Wood

Along the railway path from Eltham Park North to Falconwood Station

Just a few weeks ago bluebells and wood anemones blanketed the ground on the verges and woodland floor alongside this path.  Now they have died back and are almost disappearing beneath the flourishing brambles.

Dappled light on the pathside verges will help more wildflowers to flourish

To provide more space, more light, and more water for the wildflowers to spread further, and to provide an even better show in the future, one team of volunteers pulled the brambles back from the patches of wood anemones and cut back the old woody growth.   The trimmed brambles will very quickly produce fresh, new growth - perfect for nectar-loving insects.

Pulling and trimming back the brambles allows more light to reach the woodland floor - improving the conditions for our wonderful ancient woodland species to grow.

Another team made their way along the verges, revisiting previous work areas, removing roots with the tree-popper and carrying out general clearance activities. 

The yellow tree-popper on the right works by levering the roots out of the ground.

The tree-poppers are a wonderful addition to our tool-shed, one purchased with a most-welcome member donation, and another with money received from a grant.  Now, we not only can get more light to the woodland floor but can also prevent the regrowth from the widespread root systems underground.

We are very grateful for these donations which help us to continue improving the woodland ecology.