Woodland of Invasives

Woodland of Invasives

Today, I visited a local ancient woodland which is under attack from invasive species.

Many of our woodlands are now infested in invasive species, especially woodlands which have a Victorian history. A small patch of ancient woodland near Derrymore, Bessbrook which runs alongside the Bessbrook river is no exception. Cherry laurel is the most prolific invasive here. However, there are others like salmonberry, hemlock and bamboo.

Due to neglect and inactivity, this woodland has been allowed to become chocked by these plants. Cherry laurel casts dense shade all year-round in woodland due to the lack of competition and lack of herbivory from native herbivores. Cherry laurel also contains in its tissues cyanogenic glycosides, which percolate into the immediate environment and poison ground flora below it, helping to completely remove competition. There are many woodlands in the area which are infested in cherry laurel. Ravensdale Forest park is particularly bad for it and The Glen in the west of Newry is now essentially a cherry laurel jungle.

This woodland near Derrymore, though has its problems, is not as covered in laurel as would be expected. Yet, large specimens remain and there is copious natural regeneration.

There are few mature oaks in the woodland, some of which are giant, with one being around seven metres in circumference. Mature beech are also present and there is a considerable amount of beech regeneration which could also be removed if there was an effort to restore the woodland. Other native trees include a nice population of wych elm, hazel, willows and birches scattered throughout. There are also gullies which snake through the woodland which flood and hold a lot of stagnant water – great environment for hoverfly larvae and other invertebrates.

Ultimately, these woodlands would be prime places to engage people in invasive species identification and control. I am not sure who own this stretch of woodland, but I would guess the quakers who are nearby. This is just one place in Newry which could be given to the public and get people involved in ecological management and restoration – on-the-ground and rewarding work. Watch this space – I might try and get something up and running!

Image: cherry laurel in Fathom plantation, Newry