Rhododendron ponticum is a non-native, invasive species that was introduced in the 1700's as an ornamental plant; it was also popular on Victorian country estates as vegetation cover for game birds. Today it is a menace, threatening native habitats and plant species by out-competing them - in the right conditions, ponticum will grow metres tall and its thick foliage starves other, smaller plants of light.
There is a large area of this plant growing at the north end of the Deer Park, and last week we started to clear it by cutting it down to the ground and burning it. This will not eradicate rhododendron - it is extremely vigorous and hard to get rid of - but by regularly cutting the foliage back we can control it, prevent it from spreading too far, and allow some light back to the woodland floor.
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Volunteer Jack keeps the fire burning on a chilly morning
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| Everyone loves a bit of rhody-bashing! |
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