On Tuesday 11th February the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Volunteers were back at Whinney Hill woodland carrying out some Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) removal. This took the form of removing 3 large Cherry Laurels from the site, along with a few much smaller Japanese Spotted Laurel (Variegated Laurel).
Volunteers first used loppers to clear away much of the foliage, leaving the main trunk exposed. Bow saws were then used to fell the remaining tree using a traditional ‘V notch’ technique.
We also carried out a litter pick in the opened up area as the density of the INNS had attracted quite a lot of litter.
The arisings from the INNS management were put to good use as a fence bordering the area of felling had fallen into disrepair and needed supporting back into place. The Woodland’s volunteers put their extensive dead-hedging experience to work and created stakes from suitably large limbs, which were driven next to the fence to sure it up, and others were driven a metre behind it. The remaining brash was then slotted between these stakes to create a dead-hedge.
This gives the fence structure, provided space for wildlife, and improves the aesthetic value of the area.
Thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped us maintain Hyndburn’s Woodlands and improve space for wildlife.
As always, thank you to our funders at Lancashire County Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, and the Windfall Fund for making it all possible
