# MicroWild > Woodland & habitat management and marketing services for rural businesses ## Posts - [Rhododendron: The Woodland Strangler that Needs to Go](https://microwild.co.uk/rhododendron-ponticum-woodland-strangler/): 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 green that remains for the rest of the year, chokes woodlands of light and reduces biodiversity. It’s one of the most damaging invasive species found in British woodland. Here’s what it is, why it matters, and what you can do about it. What is Rhododendron ponticum? […] - [Himalayan Balsam in Woodland: What It Is & Why You Need to Remove It](https://microwild.co.uk/himalayan-balsam-woodland/): 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 it come summer. This tall, pink-flowered plant turns up along streams, in damp hollows and on woodland edges from April onwards and more noticeable from June. It looks harmless enough. It isn’t. Left alone, it will spread through your woodland, crowd out native plants and leave […] - [The Understorey Bulletin: October 2025](https://microwild.co.uk/nature-news-bulletin-october-2025/): 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 Serious About Nature Recovery Right on our doorstep, some really exciting developments are taking shape. Following the Environment Act 2021, both West Sussex and East Sussex counties are now developing Local Nature Recovery Strategies to safeguard existing wildlife havens and map out where new habitats could […] - [Why Every Woodland Owner Should Have a Management Plan](https://microwild.co.uk/why-you-need-a-woodland-management-plan/): 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 a woodland management plan. Now, before your eyes glaze over at the thought of more paperwork when you want to be out hugging trees, hear me out. A woodland management plan isn’t just some bureaucratic box-ticking exercise. It’s your roadmap for the next decade and your […] - [New Gateway Opens at The Ashdown Forest Centre](https://microwild.co.uk/new-gateway-opens-at-the-ashdown-forest-centre/): 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 the thousands who pass through the Forest Centre every year. The gateway features carvings of some of the Forest’s most iconic species such as the Nightjar, Adder, Dartford Warbler, Hobby and Dragonfly. The designs by local artist Malcolm Trollope-Davis were nurtured into life as carvings with […] - [Hazel: Your Nutty Native Woodland Treasure](https://microwild.co.uk/hazel-your-nutty-native-woodland-treasure/): 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 Hazel is often in hedgerows but it can grow to a mid-size tree and is often found in the understorey in English woodland. It is fast-growing and is often found in traditional coppice plantations. Bark: Smooth, grey-brown bark Leaves: heart-shaped with toothed edges, slightly rough. The leaves […] - [Blackthorn: The Hedgerow's Thorny Guardian](https://microwild.co.uk/blackthorn-the-hedgerows-thorny-guardian/): 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 traditional hedge mix. For hedges, it provides a dense boundary that deters livestock due to its sharp thorns. As a species, it is a prolific grower and if left unchecked, its suckers will colonise into field boundaries fast. Blackthorn’s benefits for wildlife Blackthorn has a wealth […] - [The Wild Service Tree: Discover a Rare Beauty](https://microwild.co.uk/the-wild-service-tree-discover-a-rare-beauty/): 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 central Europe. But Why is it Called the Wild Service Tree? It’s rumoured that its common name is down to a British favourite: beer. It’s fruits that we call ‘chequers’ (we’ll come back to that in a minute) were an ingredient in beer in the middle […] - [Forest Bathing - What's All the Fuss Anyway?](https://microwild.co.uk/forest-bathing-whats-all-the-fuss-anyway/): 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 and declining health in its population, particularly in urban areas. The looked for a solution that was simple and accessible and they turned to trees. Their idea was that spending time in forests could reduce stress, improve mood, and boost the immune system. The practice was […] - [The Oak: Bow to the King of the Forest](https://microwild.co.uk/the-oak-bow-to-the-king-of-the-forest/): 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 Sessile Oak (Quercus petrea). How to Identify an Oak Oak is a large, majestic tree often many hundreds of years old up to 1000 years. It is deciduous with a broad, spreading crown and thick, sometimes gnarled branches. Male and female flowers are found on […] ## Pages - [Marketing Services](https://microwild.co.uk/marketing-services/): Marketing Services for rural, farming, conservation & sustainable businesses Focused Marketing Sprints Designed for small businesses that need a marketing challenge solved. Individually-scoped pieces of work, delivered in 30 days, without the cost or worry of a monthly commitment. - [Terms & Conditions](https://microwild.co.uk/terms-conditions/): Terms & Conditions of MicroWild.co.uk. In this document, “we” or “us” refer to MicroWild. ​ ​      Introduction 1.1    These terms and conditions shall govern your use of our website. 1.2    By using our website, you accept these terms and conditions in full; accordingly, if you disagree with these terms and conditions or any part of these terms and conditions, you must not use our website. 1.3    If you register with our website, submit any material to our website or use any of our website services, we will ask you to expressly agree to these terms and […] - [News & Resources](https://microwild.co.uk/news-resources/): Woodland – Small Land Owners – Community Projects – Rural Business - [About](https://microwild.co.uk/about/): about microwild HEALTHY WOODLAND & HABITATS How We Work. I specialise in woodland and countryside management and also work as a field ecologist. I work with landowners, from as little as half a hectare to farms, conducting surveys and writing woodland and habitat management plans, as well as providing advice on grants and assisting clients with grant applications. I often work with other specialists such as tree surveyors and other woodland and habitat management consultants to help you achieve your objectives. When nature meets business Some clients blend caring for their pocket of nature with business or community projects. With over […] - [Contact](https://microwild.co.uk/contact/): CONTACT US Send a Message Talk To Us Follow Us: - [Home](https://microwild.co.uk/): Woodland – Small Land Owners – Farms – Community Projects – Rural & Sustainable Business - [Services](https://microwild.co.uk/services/): SERVICES Woodland Management | Habitat Management Grants | Marketing - [Privacy Policy](https://microwild.co.uk/privacy-policy/): Who we are Privacy policy and notice of the MicroWild.co.uk. In this document, “we” or “us” refer to MicroWild. ​ Our registered office is at: TC/o The Marketing Maven, The Offices​ 57 Newtown Road Brighton East Sussex BN3 7BA ​ Tel: 0333 567 1714 ​ This is a notice to tell you our policy about all information that we record about you. It covers both information that could identify you and information that could not. ​ We are extremely concerned to protect your privacy and confidentiality. We understand that all users of our web site and services are quite rightly concerned […] ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/microwild.co.uk/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)