Dolberthog Wood

Getting into this woodland for the first time, Phil was impressed to see how much work had been done to restore this ancient woodland. This 40 acre family owned woodland is surrounded by grazing and commercial forestry, these landowners have a teachers salary and a lot of commitment to doing the right thing by nature.

We got stuck in for just one day, removing roughly 1 acre (3,500 square meters) of rhododendron. Volunteers attacked each plant in waves: the first batch using loppers to cut through the outer layer of foliage and get to the main trunk where possible. The next lot were using machetes and brush hooks to knock back as many smaller branches as possible, exposing larger branches. Then come the bow saws to take those branches down as low as possible. When only the stumps remain, they can be treated, with herbicide injected directly into the stump - only once volunteers are away.

It was a really fun day, with volunteers joining from the local area, Radnorshire in Nature, and further afield Protect Earth regulars.

A few words from the landowners.

My brother and I really enjoyed meeting everyone and are truly grateful for the superb effort that was put in. We couldn't believe the amount of work completed and really gave us a boost in continuing our work in Dolberthog.

The people who represent Protect Earth are incredible - their energy was inspiring! We had some wonderful discussions and Phil shared some great ideas for the future of the wood. He's certainly inspired me to forge ahead with the plans I have for Dolberthog.

The volunteers were an absolute force and the breaktime provisions were the least we could do. A huge thank you to them and I hope we meet them again.

Thank you to you also for the communication and support - it was much appreciated. The whole process has been so lovely and welcoming.

A few words from one of the volunteers that made us smile.

There were some amazing foodie treats, (sausage rolls with the best filling ever and cheese and onion marmalade swirls) and wonderful cake and more cake.. We all worked hard, drank plenty of tea/coffee, shared skills, enjoyed great teamwork on a dry and mild day. A happy chatty group, nice to meet volunteers from different lives.

We’ll be back next year, because rhododeonderon doesn’t go first time around even when treated. It’ll be another two years or so of effort, and there’s likely a bit more work to be done that just removing these invasives.

Steve the Ecologist went to see the state of things, and here’s what he had to say.

There are several large areas of Rhododendron, easily accessible, and of a manageable size to be tackled by volunteers with bowsaws. It can be tackled anytime from now until end of Feb (there is no vegetation roundabout stopping access - so no need to wait until the winter for it to die back to improve access).

There are two other patches, one of which (basically on a cliff face) that volunteers would be unable to tackle. Another small patch on a steep area, may be doable by a couple of adventurous volunteers. We will need bowsaws, loppers etc.

The cut Rhodi can be stacked off the ground, rather than burnt. A group of 10-15 volunteers could clear the main area within a day, chop it into manageable pieces and stack it. Stumps can be carefully treated once volunteers are off site.