Ashtead Common – City of London
| Keeping the tradition of coppicing alive On a crisp January morning, local families seized the opportunity to join the Rangers at an event where they tried their hand at the ancient craft of coppicing. Following an explanation of the benefits of coppicing and a brief lesson on what and how to harvest, participants were set free with bow saws and loppers, allowing them to cut and prepare their own bundles of hazel produce. This included crafting tomato stakes, bean poles, and pea sticks. This event held extra significance, marking the first time a Hazel ‘coup’ has been re-coppiced on the Common since its reintroduction into rotation 11 years ago. Families left with not only their bundles but also a packet of seeds to complement their new supports in their gardens or allotments. They have promised to keep us updated on their progress, making it a memorable and educational experience for all! Missed out on the fun? Join us for another exciting adventure at our upcoming Family Ranger Day on Sunday, February 4th. Secure your spot now on Eventbrite. |
| Annual care for Ashtead Common’s ancient oaks The mighty ancient oak pollards on the Common are both strong and fragile. As they age and face increasing environmental pressures, they become more vulnerable to shedding limbs or collapsing. In an effort to prolong the longevity of these important trees, each of the 1100 ancient trees on the Common has its own management plan. To efficiently address the needs of each tree, the Common has been divided into several districts, allowing the Ranger team to provide the attention they require on time. Each year, the trees in a designated district undergo various treatments, including the removal of understory and smaller trees competing for light and nutrients. The trees themselves may undergo rebalancing, crown reduction, and the removal of any deadwood posing a risk to site visitors. Specialist ancient tree contractors from Benton Arboriculture have recently completed the annual ancient tree works for this cutting season. This season marked the largest ancient tree project undertaken on Ashtead Common in 10 years, with a total of 80 trees receiving attention. This increase is attributed to the previous year’s contract delay due to the trees’ heightened stress during the summer drought conditions, which would not have reacted well to cutting. This vital work will hopefully extend the life of these magnificent ancient oaks for many more years. |
| Restoring scrub grassland Toward the end of 2023, the Rangers and volunteers were busy restoring an area of valuable scrub grassland habitat. The lower slopes of Ashtead Common were historically open grassland with patches of scrub, managed as a by-product of subsistence farming and grazing. This habitat allows delicate wildflowers to bloom, attracting insects for pollination, while the young scrub provides nesting opportunities that entice migrant bird species to return to Ashtead Common year after year. However, over the decades, scrub has overtaken, and secondary woodland has crept in, making it less favourable to the flora and fauna found here. The work has been quite an undertaking and is not yet completed; it will continue until the end of the cutting season in February. When spring arrives, the scrub grassland will once again be teeming with the buzz of insects and a chorus of birdsong. |
| Events Family Ranger Day – Ashtead Common Sunday 4 February, 10am-1.30pm Does your child see themself as a Ranger of the future? Come and join the Ashtead Common Rangers for a taster day in the life of one! £30 per ticket (1 child + 1 adult). Booking via Eventbrite. |
