Fishpond Wood: 17-10-2017

Today it was back to Fishpond Wood for the 16 NCVs and students who turned up for duty, in spite of Hurricane Ophelia. We had decided that the rhododendrons there had been left in peace for far too long and didn't want them to think that they could start to go on the rampage again, taking over the place. 

At first it was still too windy to start in the wood so everyone got busy on tool maintenance jobs and a bit more clearing out at the workshop. 

Many of the tools that had been used 

to dig earth were lined up....

 ...then taken down to the river to be given a good scrub-a-dub-dub.

Two men and some tubs.
Who do you think they be?

These buckets needed a wash and there 
were bill hooks to sharpen ready for hedge laying.

Hilary turned some old lengths 
of wood into fire kindling for the log burner.

Coffee break was supplemented by some 
delicious date flapjack.
Thanks Andy - and Happy Birthday!

After coffee time the wind had calmed down sufficiently to allow us to work in the woods, although conditions were somewhat 'brisk' during the rest of the morning. Armed with loppers and bow-saws everyone trooped off to do battle with the rhodies and burn the resulting brash. 

Firstly we pruned off all the new rhodie shoots 
that have appeared over the summer. 

Hopefully this invasive pest will now get 
the message that it is really not welcome!

Lunchtime was a pleasant affair, sitting in the sun...

...looking across the lake.

With that wind well and truly gone it was 
now time to start on the main task...


... namely, that of removing a mass of rhododenrons that 
had run riot on the slope below the main path into the wood.

Within minutes great swathes of greenery 
were being dragged along the path.

By cutting the rhodies back from the edge of the path, 
the woodland's owner, Peter Brambleby, would be 
able to use his leaf blower to clear the leaves easily.

A seemingly never ending stream of 
brash was transported down the slope...

...and flung onto the bonfire.

By 2:30pm the top of the path was looking much clearer.

Of course there is still a huge area of rhodies below that need clearing. A job for next week!

Ros E.