Woodland Conservation Group – Fridays

Jack Wood - Pathways, Verges and Edges

17^th April 2026

On this bright, mild day, a cheerful group of 15 volunteers set off from our meeting point, pushing two wheelbarrows loaded with garden forks, spades, loppers, and two tree-pullers.

Eight volunteers headed to the edge of Jack Wood and Oxleas Meadow to tackle a dense wall of invasive snowberry. This proved to be a mammoth task. It involved digging into a thick carpet of roots to loosen them, using tree-pullers to lever out the largest stems, and mattocks to prise out the most stubborn roots. Based on similar work at Castlewood Meadow, we expected this to take at least two full sessions.

By breaktime, we had made good progress, but the scale of the challenge was still clear.

A well-earned rest in the spring sunshine.

However, by the end of the session, our determined team had not only removed the entire stretch of snowberry, but also cleared large rhododendron and cherry laurel shrubs then, finally, the brambles beneath the tree canopy. An impressive and unexpected result.

A substantial area of meadow has been recovered from invasive species. 

Meanwhile, the remaining seven volunteers worked along the tarmac path beside Jack Wood, below Oxleas Café, heading towards Rochester Way. On our previous visit, we had cleared brambles obscuring signage for the Green Chain Walk. This time, we focused on a nearby triangular area where sprawling, old brambles had spread across the ground, into trees, and over the path itself, making it increasingly difficult—and unsafe—to pass through.

Rediscovering the path edge

We began by using spades to rediscover the original edge of the tarmac, which lay around half a metre into the vegetation.

Mud and encroaching growth were then pushed back. Recent rain had softened the ground, making the work—though still demanding—more manageable than in previous sessions.

Once the path edges were re-established, we cleared brambles back by around two metres. This allowed us to move into the thicket of old, dried brambles—viciously thorny—and begin cutting and pulling them free from the trees. Gradually, we reduced their height until clear sightlines opened between the paths, improving visibility and safety for walkers.

Half a metre of tarmac revealed and brambles cut back for another half a metre

A tired but happy group of volunteers.

We’ll return next session to continue reclaiming these pathways—making them

safer and more accessible for everyone.

If you would like to join our friendly group, and make a difference in the woodlands and meadows, don't hesitate to contact us:

oxleas.volunteers@gmail.com