The Friends
of Allestree Park place the conservation of the Park’s natural features
at the top of its aims - and there are many environmental problems
which the City’s Parks’ Department cannot tackle on its own.
Several work parties have been arranged to clean out debris from the
Lake and to clear Himalayan balsam (an alien invasive plant) from
around the shore.
The Friends have also assisted the British Trust for Conservation
Volunteers (BTCV) in removing rhododendron, another invasive Asian
species, from parts of Big Wood and we have been involved in a major project to
restore a large area of the wood by removing the non-native sycamore and its
replacement with native trees such as oak, birch and hazel. Current projects include footpath management in the woods to minimise erosion. In the future we hope to instigate stabilization of some parts of the Lake's shore-line and to install information boards at the main entrances to the Park.
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Lake Debris Clearance
The
corner of the lake near Evans Avenue collects a lot of debris,
including plastic, and the Friends have held two clearance sessions.
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Balsam Bash
The
non-native Himalayan Balsam which, if left, will overwhelm native
flora, has to be kept under control by pulling. Three such sessions
have, for the time being, virtually removed it from the lake margins.
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Sycamore growing thickly
in Big Wood
Sycamores
are not truly native to Britain and out-compete many of our native
trees. They are a nuisance in British woodlands, growing thickly
together and creating dense shade in summer, suppressing the growth of
shrubs and flowers. They are a particular problem here at the northern
end of Big Wood on the western side of the Park.
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Site Visit
The
site above being examined by Friends Chairman Alex Kilpatrick and one
of the Park Rangers, Neil Granthier in Feb. 2007 to help to plan a
clearance programme.
Late
in 2007 and early 2008, a team from Broomfield College cleared all the
sycamores from this area. The Friends are now instigating a programme
of re-planting with native trees and shrubs.
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Rhododendron in Big Wood
It looks pretty in flower, but this alien shrub is bad news for our native trees, shrubs and woodland flowers.
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Rhododendron being removed
Members of the BTCV hard at work.
This
aggressive Asian shrub, which blocks out light and stops native trees
and shrubs from regenerating, is widespread in the woodlands, so its
complete removal is a very long-term project.
There
was another rhododendron clearance session in Big wood in January, 2008
carried out by members of the Friends and others. See an illustrated
report under 'News and Comments.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 09 November 2008 )
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