Blackfirs Wood and Himalayan Balsam
You may have noticed that we’ve made some quite substantial improvements to the pathways both internally and along the perimeter by Blackfirs Lane, as well as replacing the chestnut paling boundary fences. I hope you like what we’ve done!
Published: 4 August 2024
We are now asking for any volunteers to help us stop the spread of Himalayan balsam in our public open spaces.
There is a lot of growth currently within Blackfirs Wood. If you wish to go along to the Wood at any time and pull up and stack the plants this will help prevent its spread and would be very much appreciated. If you see any Himalayan balsam elsewhere such as in Rhead’s Meadows or along Sandy Lane please feel free to pull up the plants and stack them too.
It can grow up to a height of around 2.5m and is now the tallest annual plant in the UK. It bears large pink-purple flowers and light green, red-tipped toothed leaves and a reddish stem.
Himalayan balsam spreads quickly and grows in dense patches. Its height, ease of spread and density of growth, along with its ability to grow in low light levels, means it can quickly out-compete native plants, many of which have important ecological benefits to specific insects. What’s more, because Himalayan balsam is so popular with bees, it’s thought that other plants may receive less pollination as a result. In many areas the whole ecological balance of the landscape has been altered by Himalayan balsam, and as such it’s regarded a huge problem by ecologists.
The good news is that Himalayan balsam is a shallow-rooted annual and very easy to pull up. Simply pull up the plants, if possible before they set seed though we’re a bit late for that now, and they can be stacked on the ground so they can compost.
Thanks again for your active interest in the Parish!