Guernsey trees to be felled to boost bluebells

The density of sycamore trees has led to light levels decreasing, a States spokesperson explained

Several young sycamore trees are to be removed from Bluebell Wood to improve the diversity of wildlife, the States of Guernsey has announced.

It said the felling was due to happen on Monday and Tuesday.

An Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services spokesperson said light levels had decreased due to the increasingly dense canopy of the fast-growing sycamore trees.

They said this had made it more difficult for bluebells to grow because they rely on the pollinating insects to produce seed which allows them to spread into new areas.

Variety of habitats

Francis Russell, invasive non-native species policy and co-ordination officer, said: "These targeted interventions are intended to try and give bluebells the best possible chance of survival in view of the threat from the more dominant Allium plant.

"Although there are no guarantees that these measures will bring immediate benefits, we hope, along with the work of the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers, that it will help give the bluebells the best chance, as well as improving the woodland more generally for people and wildlife."

The Guernsey Conservation Volunteers removed invasive stinking onion bulbs from the woods on Wednesday.

As well as boosting bluebell numbers, the government hopes the work will increase the variety of habitats for insects, birds and small mammals.

There will be access to the wood at all times via the top or bottom path but signs will be used to temporarily close sections of the footpath.

And as Bluebell Wood is designated as a Site of Special Significance, the work has been shared with and approved by the Planning Service, with the work funded by the Nature Commission through the Storm Ciarán Recovery Fund.

The plan is for all the felled logs and branches to be loosely stacked to create habitat piles and to retain most of the older trees as they also provide habitats attractive to wildlife.