September Work Morning
The September Work Morning is the first of the season and there was a good turnout with some new Friends who had recently joined. It was a busy morning. Our pollinator friendly flowerbed near the Church Lane entrance was given a good haircut to remove dead vegetation and allow new growth to flourish. Some seed heads were left to allow for seed dispersal and for the benefit of the insects who live in them.
This bench in the Park, near the bridge to the Arboretum, was inaccessible due to the very large willow tree covering it. After removing lots of the willow and some Elder the bench became usable again. More Elder was removed from around the Giant Redwoods near the Chapel. A profitable morning!
A Banquet for the cattle!
At the September Work Morning, the willow cuttings from the large willow covering the bench were thrown over the fence into the Arboretum. In no time at all the cattle arrived and were quickly munching away. Willow is very good for cows being high in protein and essential minerals and having a high digestibility rate of 65-70%. Also the bark has anti inflammatory properties as it contains salicin, the active ingredient in aspirin. No wonder they enjoyed it!
Himalayan Balsam
No this isn't a tropical rainforest, it's actually the brook near the Cherston Court entrance to the Park and Arboretum. Ron and some volunteers are taking on the annual task of controlling the Himalayan Balsam which grows along the edges of the brook. The only way of controlling this invasive species with its exploding seed pods is to pull it out before the pink flowers set seed. Although an attractive plant, it would take over the whole brook if left to its own devices and choke out other plants.