Ash dieback, the tree disease currently attracting most attention, is unfortunately not the only disease that affects trees. Sharphill Wood has been struck by a number of other fungal infections that have weakened many mature trees including Ash, which is common in the wood. In recent years many trees have fallen or been blown down, but a number have had to be felled because they pose a danger to the public using the footpaths and the many organised school groups who play in the wood. The sight of so many fallen trees has understandably attracted concern from visitors to the wood.
The Friends of Sharphill Wood have been consulted by Rushcliffe Borough Council, the wood’s owner, on the need to remove the dangerous trees and we rely on them to clear any trees that fall blocking the footpaths. We have recently been donated some new trees, which go some way to replacing the lost trees. Much more planting will be required to replace all the lost trees and we hope to meet with Council officers and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, with whom we operate a management plan for the wood, to discuss how we can regenerate the wood to ensure its continued amenity value to the area.
The award winning Friends Group have been working to maintain the wood for the past 10 years and this latest challenge, together with mitigating the impact of the new housing development, places unprecedented demands on our volunteers. If you would like to help save this iconic landmark for future generations you can contact us through our website www.sharphillwood.org or on facebook. It would be marvellous to hear from you.
Bill Logan
Friends of Sharphill Wood