Beech Tree Park Sat 1st November 2025 10.00am - 12.00pm

We had a great morning at Beech Tree Park on Saturday. 14 volunteers and our Park Ranger worked hard to improve this little area.

We cut back lots of vegetation, including bramble and cherry laurel (which is a garden escapee and isn't something we want in our green spaces). We coppiced and cut down Willow, Hazel and Blackthorn trees to open up some areas and let in more light.

Gathering the branches and using rakes to pile up the bramble, we created a dead hedge with all that was cut. This creates a natural barrier and will be a great habitat for many insects over winter.

We've made a start to take down some old fencing and posts, cutting back vegetation along there too making access to the path easier.

Some of our volunteers were busy planting Ragged Robin and Devils Bit Scabious flowers by the pond. A great way to increase more flower diversity here, providing food in spring and summer for many pollinators. We also tried planting some Wood Anemone in a patch under some trees. It doesn't have a good success rate but it's worth giving it a try to have more of this native woodland flower here.

We also removed litter from the park, mostly drinks cans, improving the environment and making it safer for wildlife.

A big thank you to all that gave their time, fantastic to have a new volunteer too. Thank you to Paula Morgan Community Champion at Tesco St Mellons for kindly providing refreshments for our morning's work. It's greatly appreciated.