Down in the forest, something stirred

Tree clearance to the right of the 8th fairway	And in the woods between the 8th and 13th fairways
Rob Free (Susex Wealden Greens and Heaths Conservation Board) with Ralph Carver (Chairman of Green) and David Murdoch	Site of possible pond to the right of the 13th fairway
Encouraging heather to grow	Let the sun shine in

The biggest and most contentious project in this winter’s programme of work was woodland clearance in the area between the 8th, 13th and 14th holes. This project was backed by Sussex Downs Conservation Board, who also funded 50% of the cost. The Tull brothers, who are local to the area and have worked for us before, were contracted to carry out the work.

The main objectives were to tidy a very unsightly area, improve the vista between the three holes and re-create the heathland habitat. The area was a mix of scrub woodland consisting of birch, bracken and brambles. There were also pine trees and some rhododendron which we decided to keep. The area supported some wildlife, including birds, but mainly rabbits. By doing the work we hope to achieve over a period of five years a much more diverse and rarer habitat for a selection of wildlife (and hopefully no rabbits).

This summer it is likely that bracken will re-emerge and dominate. We could mow the bracken but I would rather have it nice and healthy and in full frond in July so that we can achieve a successful hit with asulox (chemical spray to kill bracken) which will penetrate the plant, killing the underground rhizomes – meaning that it won’t return again the following year. As part of the wildlife management of the area we are also considering siting bird and bat boxes. I’m currently liaising with Sussex Downs Conservation Board about this possibility.

It’s a bit much to suggest that we should or could go back to the original open layout of the course, at least as long as the main road and the railway are there. However, this is a heathland course and we must be mindful how much heather has been lost over the years due to encroaching woodland (particularly deciduous). If we were to do nothing about the tree population and “leave it be” then Liphook will soon be another one of those nicely wooded, former heathland courses.