Tree-mendous 'Friends Of'

 A big thank you to the 'Friends of'' Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen for coming out in the rain this Saturday (14th November) and helping to thin and fell trees to make a clearing. Clearings and open spaces are very important structural elements within woodland, providing valuable habitat for a wide range of wildlife, different from that in densely wooded areas. A diverse range of sun-loving plants and insects benefit from sunny open areas. The 'Friends Of' group worked to create a large clearing which we will continue working on next year to create a wildflower meadow. 

The felled wood was used to create habitat piles. Dead and decaying wood is often an overlooked element of wildlife gardening, but is very important. Woodpiles are a valuable habitat for mosses, lichens, fungi, and many insects, which in turn feed birds, bats, frogs and small mammals such as hedgehogs. The natural cycle of dead wood breaking down also fertilises the soil which improves the growth of new trees and plants.

The group was especially pleased to see a frog hop across the newly created clearing and take up residence in one of the newly created habitat piles!