extra extra - Balsam pulling at Abraham Wood, Boars Hill, June & July 2023

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 This mid week blog was written by Sally 


This evening marked the first of a few extra-curricular sessions at Oxford Preservation Trust’s Abraham Wood in Boars Hill to begin the systematic removal of Small Balsam - a non-native invasive species that originally heralded from Siberia or Turkestan - which has rather taken over as the principal understorey plant.  As soon as we arrived through the gate, we were greeted by a mass of balsam plants, which has small yellow flowers and some seed pods had started to form. It was growing very tall in places and stretched as far as the eye could see.  We certainly have our work cut out!

The eight volunteers spread out working from the path to the fence line on one side and in blocks on the other.  Lesley also cut back bramble which was beginning to spread onto the pathway near the gate to make the walk a little easier for people and young families.

Heaps of crushed balsam soon started accumulating and two hours passed by very quickly!  It was rewarding to see the areas starting to clear and look forward to returning in a couple of days to continue our efforts.

small balsam

loads of it!!!

everywhere...!



getting to grips with it






the results of our evening shift



on our way home



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