Reason for hay stacks around trees?

[Meta menardi]

Did you get any answers on this?

[Hedgehoggy]

Disappointingly, no and I’d completely forgotten all about it, so thanks for the reminder -- I’ve just sent a further TWO emails to them. Will promise to report back with any replies received.

[Hedgehoggy]

Some of you guessed correctly!

This is the reply I received today from a very helpful Regional Reserves Manager of the YWT:

The piles of grass around the trees at Askham Bog are a result of us cutting the fen and grassland in that area of the bog. We cut the grassland each year to try and maintain its species diversity. Cutting it helps control some of the more competitive grasses and other species that can smother some of the finer grasses and flowering plants. Ideally we would remove cuttings from the site, as where they rot down they can encourage nettles etc to grow. However, it would be such a big job to carry the cuttings off the reserve we have some sacrificial areas where we pile them.

The stacks do however have a benefit. They provide basking areas for butterflies, and are an attraction for a host of other invertebrates. They also will provide homes for small mammals and amphibians.
Hope this helps answer your question.

Best wishes,

I then followed this up with a further email questioning any adverse effects of the trees in relation to this practice, as per some concerns already voiced on this thread, and received the following reply:

We hope not! I had had this mentioned by some volunteers from BTCV who we took round the site. I would have thought the grass would rot down and provide nutrients for the tree to grow. However, we will keep an eye on the trees, and if we see any signs of ill health, or see them struggling in any way, will look at changing the practice. If any of your forum members have any information/advice on this, I’d be pleased to hear it.

Best wishes,

I can either pass on any further info/advice on your behalf via this thread, or if you prefer I will send you the direct contact details if you PM me.

[Deb London]

This is great. I love it when people like that explain things and encourage dialogue. Well done YWT.

[Meta menardi]

Yaay, information freely given and questions answered! Thanks, HH