Balsam Bash at Troutbeck.



A VOLUNTEER GROUP ON A WORKING HOLIDAY AT AIRA FORCE ULLSWATER, TOOK TIME OUT TO HELP US FOR AN AFTERNOON AT EAST WINDERMERE.

 A LARGE STAND OF THE HIGHLY INVASIVE HIMALAYAN BALSAM NEEDED TO BE REMOVED BY THE STREAM KNOWN AS TROUTBECK.

GETTING STARTED ON ONE OF THE LARGER STANDS.
 These dense stands of Himalayan Balsam will dominate river banks if left unchecked.

YET MORE BALSAM BEING DEALT WITH.

SEPARATING THE ROOT FROM THE STEM.

IF THE BALSAM WAS LEFT, IT WOULD HAVE SEEDED BY AUTUMN. MANY SEEDS WOULD HAVE FLOATED DOWNSTREAM, POTENTIALLY GERMINATING AND FORMING NEW STANDS OF HIMALAYAN BALSAM.

EACH PLANT CAN PRODUCE UP TO 800 SEEDS

A LARGE PILE OF BALSAM.
Native plants should now be able to make a return with the balsam removed  from the banks.

 VOLUNTEERS. YOU DID A GREAT JOB ON SUCH A HOT AFTERNOON. MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL.