04/06/2026
The Wednesday group experienced some particularly miserable weather this week, but all credit to them for not being miserable themselves!
We were at Bishops Wood in Rickmansworth, for some urgent work to redirect the permissive footpath away from a failing tree, with vegetation cleared, waymarking installed, and the old path blocked off. There was also time to remove some old deer fencing, as well as to carry out some birch regen removal and bracken bruising.
Bracken bruising can be a great low-tech job, requiring only a sturdy stick and a volunteer, perhaps with some frustration to vent in a productive manner. Rather than pulling up or cutting the bracken, the stems are partially crushed, which 'tricks' the plant into pumping its root reserves up the stem to repair the damage, with the sap leaking out and starving it of energy. This can slow and prevent further bracken growth which can otherwise rapidly outcompete all other ground species and acidify woodland soil.
