Updated 29th May 2009

Upton Heath is recognised as an internationally important heathland habitat and improvements are being made to Longmeadow Lane Woods to both reduce the pressure on the heath and to improve the wildlife habitat and recreational value of the woods.

The Borough secured money for this project from the Heathland Mitigation Fund that aims to offset the pressures placed on heathlands through the use of contributions from new housing developments.

Work undertaken includes:

• The removal of the majority of non-native and invasive Laurel and Rhododendron.

• Installation of new gates and a resurfaced section of the Castleman Trailway.

• Creation of new ponds and clearing of ditches.

• Tree safety work - the removal of any dangerous overhanging branches adjacent to pathways.

• New bridges constructed using old beach groyne timber recently removed during the Branksome Dene Chine groyne project [more].  Each tropical hardwood timber is estimated to weigh a tonne!

• Posts marking the new footpaths have been created from Sweet Chestnut timber taken from the woods - a large multi-stemmed tree that had fallen over in strong winds (photo right).  To create posts the timber was ‘cleaved’ (bark removed) and sculpted by a local forester.

• Footpath routes have been cleared of vegetation to make them more accessible.

• Approx 900 trees have been planted as a hedge with scattered understory planting.  A traditional, native mixture of species includes Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Oak, Ash, Beech, Wild Cherry, Wild Privet, Hazel and Field & Guelder Rose.