wildlife reserve scrub control

[markbugman]

On a recent trip to Browns Folly ( near Bath ) to see Broad-leaved Helleborine we went to the usual area to find that the local wildlife trust had Sprayed the whole sloping area with what can only be described as 'weedkiller'. Of the 34 helleborines we found at least 24 had been affected by the spraying.One of our group contacted the trust and they confirmed what we found. It was done as part of their scrub control , they want the area to be short grassland as it was many years ago.Does anyone know if this is common policy for wildlife trusts to do such things? and what are the chances of the helleborines growing again in the future?
Regards
Mark

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by markbugman

On a recent trip to Browns Folly ( near Bath ) to see Broad-leaved Helleborine we went to the usual area to find that the local wildlife trust had Sprayed the whole sloping area with what can only be described as 'weedkiller'. Of the 34 helleborines we found at least 24 had been affected by the spraying.One of our group contacted the trust and they confirmed what we found. It was done as part of their scrub control , they want the area to be short grassland as it was many years ago.Does anyone know if this is common policy for wildlife trusts to do such things? and what are the chances of the helleborines growing again in the future?
Regards
Mark

usually the herbicide application as part of scrub control would be done as stump treatment with either a brush or a spot sprayer - and it would be done when the scrub was cut in the aumn/winter not at this time of year

so in general answer scrub clearance is common , but the degree of ineptness in application is not

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by eeyore

usually the herbicide application as part of scrub control would be done as stump treatment with either a brush or a spot sprayer - and it would be done when the scrub was cut in the aumn/winter not at this time of year

so in general answer scrub clearance is common , but the degree of ineptness in application is not

Nicely put eeyore, many authorities just dont seem to have wildlife in mind with all sorts of so called management methods. Inveterate H&S motivated tree fellers springs to mind too.....................
Cheers
Ken

[stevecurtis]

I live in the Bath area Bnnerdown common has also been sprayed with weed killer, to my knowledge it does not belong to any Wildlife trust. I took a look at Browns folly its bad to say the least, what is going on?

Steve

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by stevecurtis

I live in the Bath area Bnnerdown common has also been sprayed with weed killer, to my knowledge it does not belong to any Wildlife trust. I took a look at Browns folly its bad to say the least, what is going on?

Steve

do you know what form of weedkiller - this time of year there'd be a lot of bracken spraying going on but thats done with a specific and doesnt harm most other plants (apart from some related ferns)

as I said above I wouldnt expect scrub control to involve spraying except for the spot treatment of stumps

[stevecurtis]

I have been back to Bannerdown today, the treatment is a lot more selective than I first thought, and in fact it’s very well done, my apologies, when I first seen signs of weed killer I panicked.

Steve

[King Edward]

Even if they have escaped the weedkiller, I doubt the Helleborines are going to be very happy in short open grassland.

[stevecurtis]

The Helleborines on the Avon Wildlife site at Browns Folly did not escape the weedkiller,its as Mark said at least 24 had been affected .

all the best steve

[fairplay]

Sounds like a glyphosate weed killer has been used then as Asulox (Asulam) is only used for controlling bracken (although it's original purpose was to control Docks)

Glyphosate will kill just about anything that produces chlorophyl. It is extremely difficult to be selective if the spraying was done from a tractor or in the case of Asulox - from a helicopter.

Neil.