Continuing the theme of woodland management, this year (when not dealing with storm damage) we have been concentrating on the stretch of Oak woodland that runs along Lamouth Creek on the Tregew and Roundwood side. As ever, our work is intended to favour our native, Sessile Oaks and involves removal of non-native trees such as conifers and invasives like Rhododendron. We have also thinned Holly and Beech to give the Oaks space and increased light levels will encourage Gorse and Heather to re-colonise the woodland floor and provide an essential nectar source for birds and insects come spring.
Just above this stretch of woodland, we have also been busy in our young orchard at Tregew. All the plums and apples have been checked, re-staked if necessary and given guards to protect them from the somewhat rampant attention of our local rabbit population. We have also finished this year’s round of formative pruning on the apples which will hopefully help them grow into strong, well-balanced and fully fruit-bearing forms! Unfortunately, some of our Kea Plums (a speciality of this parish) have been infected with bacterial canker and so that too had to be pruned out and the cuttings burnt in an effort to get rid of the disease.