Keen to take a lead role in an exciting local environmental project?

Iona Orchard nature reserve is a haven of green tranquility behind a locked gate at the south end of Ladywell Fields (i.e. in the Crofton Park area) just a stone's throw from South Circular.

Iona Orchard is a SINC - a site of interest for nature conservation - because the ancient fruit trees, alive and dead, provide home to some uncommon species of beetles. The site, which is part owned by the Council, part by L&Q Housing Association, used to be the double gardens of the pair of fine Victorian villas that face onto Ravensbourne Park Road - but now it is fenced off and secure without free public access.

The Council's Ecology Manager, in liaison with the Ladywell Fields User Group and L&Q, has drawn up a management plan for the site and for the last few years Nature's Gym and the Ladywell Fields User Group have run volunteer sessions to build a woodchip path, keep brambles and ivy at bay.

Ten fruit trees (of traditional varieties) have been planted with the help and generosity of the Urban Orchard Project and, in time, they will grow into full-sized trees - but they have to be looked after carefully to ensure they survive and thrive.

Now is the time to take this project to a new level so that the site can be declared safe for educational visits during the Summer and Autumn, so might you be able to help - either by coming along to the occasional volunteer session or by joining a 'management committee' for the site. An Interest in ecology, gardening and/or environmental volunteering would be helpful but is not essential.

Families are welcome although parents may wish to keep a close eye on younger kids, especially if and when work is being done one-site, until such time as we're fully confident the site is completely safe (i.e. free of any residual broken glass, cans etc.)

If you're interested, please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk and let us know how you'd like to be involved and what sort of time commitment you might be able to make.

Robert Sheppard

Orchard maintenance volunteer day

On Sunday a group of four intrepid volunteers braved the wet weather to apply mulch at our 30+ cherry, apple and pear trees, giving them a better chance of competing with the meadow grass. We did not prune the trees because of the rain--we still intend to do that on 27th Feburary, weather permitting.  Please do come along, bringing gardening gloves and secateurs if you have any.

  

Ladywell Fields Tree Walk: Part 1

This series introduces the twenty most interesting trees in Ladywell Fields. 

We start at the northernmost tip, at the entrance on Ladywell Road. Here is the first tree of interest, a Monterey Pine (1). This originates from California and in spring it has extraordinary flowers. Look out for the Firecrest, a small bird sometimes seen in the tree.

Just beyond the pine is a birch and behind that a young Black Walnut tree. It has large compound leaves that droop downwards. From the summer onwards look out for the walnuts which are green and sit at the leaf joints. They are edible but have very thick shells which require special nutcrackers. There is another, larger, Black Walnut further down by the river, but it is largely hidden from view.

Ladywell Fields has particularly fine Black Poplars which like the moist riverside setting. They are dioecious, meaning there are both male and female trees. You will see several as you walk along the river of the northern fields alongside the hospital. Just before the bridge into the hospital, notice the two large trees to your right, followed by a stump. These are old female Black Poplars (2) with small leaves that flutter in the breeze. Towards the end of May each year they shed a snow storm of seeds, forming a white carpet beneath. 

Walk further along and you will find more Poplar trees (3) to your left along the river. These have larger leaves are probably Hybrid Black Poplars. 

This content is based on the observations of an enthusiastic amateur. Any corrections and further suggestions will be gratefully received.

Orchard volunteering session in Ladywell Fields - Sunday 31 January, 11am-1.00pm

The community orchard planted in Ladywell Fields in 2011 is thriving but, like any orchard, it needs constant care and attention if the trees are to grow strongly and avoid disease.  This is one of our twice-yearly volunteer sessions at which you can learn and help prune the trees, inspect and repair the guards and mulch the trees with woodchip to keep weeds down.

At this session you'll also be able to take a look inside the Iona Orchard nature reserve, a lovely quiet wilderness behind a locked gate at the southern end of Ladywell Fields.

To register your interest in participating please email ladywellfields@yahoo.co.uk  If you do come and you have any of the following please bring them - thick gloves, secateurs and garden buckets.  Also, at the risk of stating the obvious, come in work clothes with robust shoes!

If the weather is seriously bad on Sunday 31 January, we have a fallback date which is Sat 27 February.  

Next Ladywell Fields User Group Meeting on 23rd March

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd March, as usual at 7.30 pm in the gallery at the back of Ladywell Tavern.
Everyone welcome--if you would like to be more involved in the Ladywell Fields User Group, this is the perfect opportunity.
The following meeting will be on Wednesday 22nd June.