Woodland Conservation - SHWWP

Oxleas Wood

Saturday, 9th May, 2026

Another, sunny morning in the woodlands and what a beautiful area to work, amongst the blossom, flowers and wildlife.

This time we concentrated our efforts on clearing the main invasive plant in this particular wood - rhododendron! As a SSSI, we are tasked with conserving this ancient woodland by reducing and preventing the spread of this plant which was, most likely, introduced within the garden of the Victorian era mansions that once stood nearby.  This plant has been increasing year by year so a visit to this new area was now very timely.

Our group of 9 volunteers, including two people from @GoodGym, worked as a team processing through a woodland compartment locating rhododendron.  Once identified, the group leapt into action, digging up the shrubs, then ensuring the deepest roots were removed using a mattock. Once the shrub was fully out, it was left in place to rot down so some of the softer, leafier branches were removed and chopped into smaller pieces to help speed up the process.   

In addition, whilst working in this relatively open area, volunteers used the tree-puller to remove some of the nearby, more isolated, holly shrubs and saplings where they were already darkening the woodland floor, together with some which were swamping an important ancient woodland indicator species - the Wild Service Tree.

Great support from Goodgym volunteer.

A small, friendly group and a straightforward activity led to a very enjoyable session - and yet more areas of the woodland floor more accessible to light.  Hopefully, we will see a more diverse range of wildflowers and other woodland floor vegetation next spring.

Great work everyone!