The work carried out to restore the heathland habitat to the large glade within The Common saw good results with an excellent rate of heather germination following sowing in December 1997. Unfortunately, last winter most of this work was undone by extensive rabbit browsing. The only viable means of protecting the heather seedlings is to exclude the rabbits from their growing area. It is proposed to use temporary fencing (for approximately five years) which will allow the heather to establish and grow to such a size that the plants will tolerate later browsing. The enclosure would not be particularly big, measuring 10 metres x 20 metres, and consist of a rabbit wire fence. Once the fence has been erected the area will be re-sown this autumn.
The grey squirrel is a native of North America and since it was first introduced into Britain in the mid-l9th century, has spread throughout the country. Grey squirrels pose the single largest threat to the survival of young broadleaved trees. Serious damage is caused when they strip the bark from trees.
The problem of grey squirrel damage to the beech trees on Chipperfield Common is one which we have been aware of for some time. A brief inspection of the young trees reveals widespread bark damage, which has lead to the disfigurement and in some cases, the death, of the affected trees.
In Britain, grey squirrels have no natural predators, nor are they seriously affected by disease. Unless the squirrel population is controlled The Common will not enjoy the splendour of the magnificent beech trees in the future. At present the only viable and cost effective means of control is to use warfarin treated bait dispensed from hoppers which would be located in the woodland. In order to prevent harm to other animals the hoppers are designed so that only grey squirrels have access to the bait. Contractors who would site and maintain the hoppers are trained and certificated in the use of pesticides.
Cameron Lewis
Woodland Officer,
Dacorum Borough Council