Rhododendron Ponticum: The Woodland Strangler that Needs to Go There are many things to thank the Victorians for but their love of exotic flora has left us with a very big problem. Famed for its beauty, rhododendron looks incredible when it flowers for a few weeks in May and June but its wall of solid
Rhododendron: The Woodland Strangler that Needs to Go Read More »
Himalayan Balsam in Woodland: What It Is & Why You Need to Remove It If you own or manage woodland in the UK, it’s possible that you’ve come across Himalayan balsam, especially if you have watercourses or are close to rivers. Even if you didn’t know its name, you can’t miss it if you have
Himalayan Balsam in Woodland: What It Is & Why You Need to Remove It Read More »
Your Understorey Bulletin: October 2025 Hello there! Here’s your nature news. Pull up a chair whilst we catch up on what’s been happening in the world of woodland and habitat conservation. From local Sussex developments to national planning debates and even a Swedish forest rebellion, there’s plenty to discuss over our virtual cuppa. Sussex Gets
The Understorey Bulletin: October 2025 Read More »
You’ve just become the proud owner of a patch of woodland, or perhaps you’ve had it for a while but haven’t had the time or resources to do a great deal with it. Either way, you might be wondering: where on earth do I start? The answer is simpler than you might think; you need
Why Every Woodland Owner Should Have a Management Plan Read More »
As a Trustee of the Ashdown Forest Foundation, I was delighted to attend the grand opening of the Ashdown Forest Centre’s new gateway. Crafted in local Engish oak, it stands at the entrance to the centre in Wych Cross. Dubbed as the ‘Gateway to Nature’, it now acts as a welcome and information point for
New Gateway Opens at The Ashdown Forest Centre Read More »
Scientific Name: Corylus avellana We’ve all seen hazel, whether you noticed it or not. This small native tree is not only a common sight in ancient woodlands, hedgerows and scrubland, it’s also become a popular tree that developers and urban planners plant to provide fast-growing woody cover. And, well, you’ve heard of hazelnuts. How to Identify
Hazel: Your Nutty Native Woodland Treasure Read More »
Scientific Name: Prunus spinosa Blackthorn is a common sight in the countryside in hedgerows or as dense thickets on scrubland or on woodland edges. Most famous for its dark berries, or sloes, used every year for sloe gin, blackthorn is a staple of UK hedgerows, particularly in the South East where it is part of the
Blackthorn: The Hedgerow’s Thorny Guardian Read More »
Scientific Name: Sorbus Torminalis Have you seen one? I challenge you to. A rare native tree in the UK, it was once common in the South East of England but over time, and perhaps with changing climates and human pressure, this beautiful tree has slowly retreated in the UK but is still found in southern and
The Wild Service Tree: Discover a Rare Beauty Read More »
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice of immersing oneself in the forest atmosphere. It was developed in Japan in the 1980s as a form of preventative healthcare and healing. The term “Shinrin-yoku” translates to “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.” The concept arose from the Japanese government’s concern about increasing stress levels
Forest Bathing – What’s All the Fuss Anyway? Read More »
Scientific Name: Quercus robur The English oak is native to Europe and western Asia. It is a dominant tree in many woodlands and forests, preferring deep, fertile soils. In the UK, it is a symbol of strength and longevity, found throughout the country. We have two native oaks, the Penduculate or Common Oak (Quercus robur) and
The Oak: Bow to the King of the Forest Read More »
