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.
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small balsam |
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loads of it!!! |
|
everywhere...! |
|
getting to grips with it |
|
the results of our evening shift |
|
on our way home |
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