Author Archives: Nici Ruggiero
Clearing the Yellow trail July 2026 despite drought officially being declared in half of England!
Throughout the summer the Friends of Northaw Great Woods work parties have been keeping the trails free of bracken ferns, brambles and other vegetation that is constantly encroaching and obscuring the pathways This work continues throughout the growing season, even … Continue reading
Vegetation Survey
A couple of weeks ago, in soaring temperatures, the FONGW team divided into two teams. One team carried out ongoing work on the bridges, removing debris between the planks to increase airflow and prevent rot. The other team carried out … Continue reading
Clearing fallen Birch tree on the Yellow trail
Last month, despite the sweltering heat, the Friends of Northaw Great Woods went down to the furthest point on the Yellow trail to clear a fallen Birch tree that was obstructing the path. While at the site a dangerous tree … Continue reading
Preparing logs for winter
Today the Fongw team split up into two groups to collect and prepare logs for sale in winter. One team cut up and collected logs from dead tree trunks that had been laying seasoning on the ground for a … Continue reading
Recent survey of trail waymark posts
In recent weeks the FONGW team have undertaken surveying the wooden waymark posts on the three main trails within the woods. Altogether the trails cover a distance of approximately 7.6 km (4.5 miles) and include 61 single posts, all of … Continue reading
Removal of holly stumps using a winch
The Friends team have been using a winch to remove the larger stumps of holly trees that they have previously cut down. This can be strenuous work as the tree roots don’t always come out of the ground easily. The … Continue reading
Protecting nesting birds and wildlife
Nesting birds and wildlife are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside act 1981 which prohibits the cutting of hedges between 1st March and 31st August. Therefore the Fongw team ceased cutting holly trees and bushes at the beginning of March … Continue reading
Bridge repair down by Cuffley Brook
You may have noticed that this bridge on the Yellow Trail, down by Cuffley Brook has been in a bad way for sometime. Recently, over several sessions, the “Friends of Northaw Great Woods” team have got together and have made … Continue reading
Clearing Holly to open up a trail for walkers
Four sessions of Holly clearing in this area, by the “Friends” team, finally opens up another trail for … Continue reading
Clearing fallen birch blocking a trail
Fallen birch cut up and cleared away leaving the trail open again