Even more about trees……..
A large, keen group of volunteers gathered early one more time at Roman Bank on Sunday for a last meet-up of the season (before the birds start to nest) with rangers Al & Kate at Wenlock Edge. Our task was to try to complete the ride clearance, widening the bridleway and removing dead and decaying woodland, back towards Wilderhope.
Happily compared to our last visit – see Matt’s report when we were nearly washed and blown away – this time the track was dry, making our long walk from the meeting point easier. Unexpectedly the sun also appeared which meant a fair bit of the early spring flora & fauna put on a display for us.
After more than a mile’s walk, the search for helpfully placed orange dots began, as we sought to widen the track and burn up selected overhanging branches, interspersed with a few big boys suffering from ash die back which succumbed to the rangers chainsaws – a three saw Sunday!
Just in case we didn’t have enough branches to burn, Al had brought a half-filled trailer full of brash which he managed to squeeze down the track.
There was a lot to drag and as it turned out, the orange spots were fairly spaced out which meant that over the day only two fires sprang up to remove the unwanted material. The few walkers and their dogs could dodge around the heat pyres to avoid getting melted.
There was a birthday treat for long-serving member David B – who managed the candles for his ??th birthday. Fancy that, celebrating by cutting trees down…but then Wolves did win the day before didn’t they David!
Ian created his own huge pile of brash to burn, so keen was he – after missing out on an extra possible Saturday workday – that he missed the birthday cake o’clock! John found enough to saw; and everyone dragged towards the fires for all they were worth.
Richard got a botany lesson from ranger Kate, as she pointed out a rare rhodo’ species which the lopper blades needed to avoid (…and its name I hear you asking?…..perhaps Richard remembers better than I did!)
By the end of the day, enough space had been created for the trailer to turn around – and we reached the end of the patch of Trust owned land. So job done!
As we trekked back along the trail the extra light finding its way to the ground was evident since our last visits, as around some of the larger felled trees left for habitat creation the wood sorrel was popping up around the stumps.
Thanks to all for their efforts, including the baker for his brownies; and Kate for the early Easter chocs!
Just the small matter of a double weekend of workdays next at Wightwick Manor and Benthall Hall before a short break for Easter and more chocolate munching…
Russell
Shropshire and Staffordshire National Trust Volunteers 