Sycamore Tree Felling in Aughton Woods
Lancashire Wildlife Trust is currently felling Sycamore trees within Aughton Woods nature reserve. (On the opposite bank of the river Lune from Brookhouse and Claughton). Sycamores are not native to Britain, having probably been introduced, in the 15th or 16th century, from the hills of Central to South Eastern Europe. They multiply and spread aggressively in woodland at the expense of natives, such as Oak and Ash. They also give a dense shade and heavy leaf-fall, which isn’t good for the ground flora of the wood ; eg : bluebells, violets, primroses, tree saplings etc.
Controlling them now will encourage more wildlife variety (biodiversity) to develop in Aughton Woods in the long term and make it easier to remove the sprouting re-growth of the newly felled Sycamores. Please take care if walking through these woods, as work is on-going.
