The Woodlands.co.uk Blog - May 2007
Woodland courses in 2007
Here is a selection of woodland-related courses that are happening over the coming year. Know of any courses we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments.
Coppicing: An Introduction
Coppicing is a woodland management method in which the wood from a tree is harvested by cutting a suitable tree near ground level. It subsequently regrows over a period of years without needing to be replanted. This technique is different from pollarding, in which branches are cut at, or above, head height, leaving the possibility of grazing underneath the growing branches.
Squirrel pox
As reported in the woodlands blog last year, the red squirrel population in the UK is under threat. One of the threats is the parapox virus. This virus seemingly does little harm to grey squirrels (who act as a reservoir of infection); but red squirrels, once infected, develop skin ulcers,
Bees and CCD
Bees are important members of both urban and rural ecosystems – they are important pollinators. Not only do they pollinate millions of hectares of fruit trees (such as apples) and other crops, but they are busy in our gardens, in our fields and woodlands enabling an enormous variety of plants to pollinate and set seed, completing their life cycle. However, there is a growing number of reports that the number of bees is falling and hives are empty.
Beewatch 2007 - Plight of the Bumblebee
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, based at Stirling University, needs your help in recording sightings of bumblebees. They would like you to record what species you see, where and how many, and take pictures of any unusual specimens. Go to http://www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk/surveys.htm to find out how to take part. Read more…