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THE WOODLANDS"If one had to design from scratch the primary vegetation for the planet, to house and feed other organisms, to regulate the water and nutrient cycles, it would be almost impossible to improve on TREES." Richard Mabey (Sunday Times) Think of trees and more often than not you will think of the fast disappearing rainforests of South America. Whilst areas the size of Germany easily capture our imaginations as they are wiped off the map, the tiny areas of woodland on our doorstep are equally important. Since 1990, The Dandelion Trust has been raising money to save over 200 acres of threatened woodlands in the West Country. Cornwall has less than 2% of its original woodland intact it was thus vital that the Trust intervened. Foxgrove and Crenver Woods in Cornwall were designated 'nature conservation sites'. When the Trust bought them they were in danger of being felled - despite Tree Preservation Orders - to make way for time-share chalets. These woods contain many forms of wildlife and plants, trees covered in lichen showing the healthiness of the air, migrating birds using it as the last resting place before leaving England on long journeys to Africa and Southern Europe as well as the indefinable quietness that any area of undisturbed woodland offers. Big Heathfield Wood, also bought by the Trust, had been suggested as a site for War Games or conifer planting. Luxulyan Woods - also in Cornwall, is a small but beautiful old deciduous wood, it has now been bought by the Trust. The Trust is dedicated to leaving these woods to the wild; they do however require some management. Rhododendrons have been removed to make way for less aggressive indigenous species and the perimeter walls need constant upkeep to prevent fly tipping. Crenver GroveThe Dandelion Trust actively encourages small groups to use Crenver Grove for the study of nature and to use the woodland as an inspiration for the arts. A track has been opened around half of the grove to make an easy, pleasant walk, avoiding badger sets. It crosses the trench dug by American servicemen, stationed at the historic Clowance House during the second world war, as a D-Day practice manoeuvre. Approximately 70 young trees have been planted near the walk, in a windthrown tree site. The Crenver Grove storySeveral conservation charities were approached to help purchase these two historic groves, but at a time when recession was threatening, many resources were already committed. Concerned local residents had meanwhile made an offer to the owners of these groves, feeling that the only way to keep this large stand of woodland safe, in the long term, was to buy it. The Dandelion Trust were approached to help with the purchase price just four days before the local peoples' option to buy ran out of time. The trustees came to look the next day, grasped the situation immediately and placed the deposit with 10 minutes to spare. This was the beginning of much work to actually raise the purchase price. The Dandelion Trust had already purchased 27 acres of ancient woodland in south Devon using a system of covenants from committed conservationists, to raise the finance from a bank involved in green issues. Several local residents covenanted £1000 over four years. Concerts were held by the Trust, one featured the Medici String Quartet with Dorothy Tutin performing Elgar's Wood Magic. This was a recently discovered work, inspired by Elgar's sadness at the felling of a small wood near his home. Another concert was held nearer the completion of the purchase, at the Hackney Empire in London, with support from artists from many different fields of the entertainment industry. Eventually, financial deadlines were met and the Dandelion Trust purchased the groves, safekeeping them for nature and the community. Since the purchase some small works have been done to Crenver Grove (the estate walls are constantly in need of repair to deter wood pilfering, rubbish dumping and interference with birds and badgers), a walk has been created and young trees planted. Visiting Crenver GroveVisitors are welcome to come and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the woods and to use them for inspiration. A few guidelines: fires should not be lit in the woods as fallen and decaying wood makes homes for the diverse insect population and fungi. Two large badger setts exist here. It is illegal to disturb any sett and, for this reason, and to give priority to the habitats of nesting birds, we ask that dogs be controlled. Shooting is not allowed. Species ListClick here for the species list, originally compiled by the Cornish Biological Unit. Please do email and let us know if you visit Crenver Grove and find a species not yet on the list. How to get to Crenver GroveCrenver Grove lies at the south-east corner of the Clowance estate. The entrance is on the B3303 Camborne-Helston road, approximately 2km south of the village of Praze-an-Beeble. Park either side of the entrance, on the grass verges or drive through the gate to park past the field entrance – leaving access to the field clear. |
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