Friends of St Leonard’s Forest © 2010 All Rights Reserved
Why is the Rhododendron not wanted in the forest?
Rhododendron Ponticum is a non-
One of the problem areas has been in the important heathland areas of the 280 hectares (700 acre) St Leonard's Forest in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Countryside Ranger Mike Funnell explains: "Rhododendron Ponticum has become a countryside killer and is causing problems nationally. It has invaded St Leonard’s mainly from the edges of the site and has become a serious threat to the heathland which the County Council maintains.
"Not only does it smother native plants that wildlife depend on for their survival but it also poisons the ground and can be a carrier of the fungus which causes 'Sudden Oak Death', a disease that can also affect other trees such as the Beech and Sweet Chestnut.
"Over the last ten years with the help of a regular volunteer group, the Friends of St Leonard’s Forest, students from Chichester College's Brinsbury campus near Pulborough, and contractors, the plant has been slowly but systematically removed from the centre of the site towards the edges."
The work has been led and planned by the High Weald Countryside Rangers in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and the High Weald AONB Heathland Project. As a result much of the site is clear of the plant but regular checks are needed for seedlings because it is a highly tenacious plant that can rapidly re-colonise an area.
Neighbouring landowners have helped the battle by allowing the removal of vigorously growing plants on their land adjacent to the forest which has removed another seed source.
Part of St Leonard’s Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the remainder is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance. Mr Funnell said: "A significant amount of work maintaining the rich heathland at St Leonard’s has been achieved over the last few years but new volunteers to help with the work would always be most welcome."
Steve Waight, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Strategic Environment and Planning, said: "The County Council is grateful to the landowners for playing their part in tackling a plant that may look attractive but can obviously wreak serious damage in the countryside."
Rhododendron Ponticum releases its seeds each year to be carried and spread by the wind . It also spreads through its roots and lower branches, anywhere a branch touches the ground it sends out roots and forms a new plant. The result is a dense jungle of Rhododendron which shades out all native plants and is of very little wildlife value. One of the aims of the Friends of St Leonard's is to control the spread of Rhododendron in order to allow the return of native heather and enable trees to re-establish themselves.
Rhododendron ponticum releases its seeds each year to be carried and spread by the wind . It also spreads through its roots and lower branches, anywhere a branch touches the ground it sends out roots and forms a new plant. The result is a dense jungle of Rhododendron which shades out all native plants and is of very little wildlife value. One of the aims of the Friends of St Leonard’s is to control the spread of Rhododendron in order to allow the return of native heather and enable trees to re-establish themselves.
Countryside Ranger Mike Funnell explains: "Rhododendron Ponticum has become a countryside killer and is causing problems nationally. It has invaded St Leonard’s mainly from the edges of the site and has become a serious threat to the heathland which the County Council maintains.
"Not only does it smother native plants that wildlife depend on for their survival but it also poisons the ground and can be a carrier of the fungus which causes 'Sudden Oak Death', a disease that can also affect other trees such as the Beech and Sweet Chestnut.
"Over the last ten years with the help of a regular volunteer group, the Friends of St Leonard’s Forest, students from Chichester College's Brinsbury campus near Pulborough, and contractors, the plant has been slowly but systematically removed from the centre of the site towards the edges."
The work has been led and planned by the High Weald Countryside Rangers in conjunction with the Forestry Commission and the High Weald AONB Heathland Project. As a result much of the site is clear of the plant but regular checks are needed for seedlings because it is a highly tenacious plant that can rapidly re-
Neighbouring landowners have helped the battle by allowing the removal of vigorously growing plants on their land adjacent to the forest which has removed another seed source.
Part of St Leonard’s Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the remainder is a Site of Nature Conservation Importance. Mr Funnell said: "A significant amount of work maintaining the rich heathland at St Leonard’s has been achieved over the last few years but new volunteers to help with the work would always be most welcome."
Steve Waight, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Strategic Environment and Planning, said: "The County Council is grateful to the landowners for playing their part in tackling a plant that may look attractive but can obviously wreak serious damage in the countryside."
Rhododendron Ponticum releases its seeds each year to be carried and spread by the wind . It also spreads through its roots and lower branches, anywhere a branch touches the ground it sends out roots and forms a new plant. The result is a dense jungle of Rhododendron which shades out all native plants and is of very little wildlife value. One of the aims of the Friends of St Leonard's is to control the spread of Rhododendron in order to allow the return of native heather and enable trees to re-
Rhododendron ponticum releases its seeds each year to be carried and spread by the wind . It also spreads through its roots and lower branches, anywhere a branch touches the ground it sends out roots and forms a new plant. The result is a dense jungle of Rhododendron which shades out all native plants and is of very little wildlife value. One of the aims of the Friends of St Leonard’s is to control the spread of Rhododendron in order to allow the return of native heather and enable trees to re-
Why is Rhododendron Ponticum not wanted?