Today on the Dalbeattie Community Council facebook page they posted this story
“In the past couple of days we have received several messages from members of the public concerning the Rounall Wood. The messages have all covered the dismay at having all the beautiful rhododendron bushes “hacked” down and the branches “dumped” at the side of the paths. “
“The mess they have left is simply atrocious, they could’ve at least tided up after themselves!!” “There has been no consultation about why these bushes, which fill the wood with their bright colours have been removed.” A quick call to the “powers that be” has shown that the Forestry Commission are indeed trying to get rid of “wild rhododendron” as they are “not native and have been shown to reduce the numbers of earthworms, birds and plants and reduce the biodiversity of the area.” But anyone who knows their history of Dalbeattie would know that THIS IS NOT NATIVE WOODLAND!! This was in fact a formal garden created after the First World War to give servicemen employment when the war was over. Therefore by hacking all the non-native plants they are in fact clearing what was left of the garden. “
A poster attached advises that ‘There has been an increase in non-native and invasive species such as Sycamore, Holly and Rhododendron’. Perhaps management of the wild ‘invasive’ Rhododendron rather than its destruction would have been a more sensible solution.
As far as Sycamore and Holly are concerned the following may be of interest:-
Sycamore is attractive to aphids and therefore a variety of their predators, such as ladybirds, hoverflies and birds. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of a number of moths. The flowers provide a good source of pollen and nectar to bees and other insects, and the seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Holly provides dense cover and good nesting opportunities for birds, while its deep, dry leaf litter may be used by hedgehogs and small mammals for hibernation.
The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly, along with those of various moths including the yellow barred brindle, double-striped pug and the holly tortrix. The smooth leaves found at the tops of holly trees are a winter source of food for deer.
The berries are a vital source of food for birds in winter, and are also eaten by small mammals such as wood mice and dormice.
Former Initiative Employee Graham Platt had looked at the idea of restoring the gardens for the 100th Anniversary but no original plans could be found. Another irate letter revealed that the writers grandfather used to tend the rhododendrons as part of his job as grave digger for the cemetery in order to preserve them for the future…
The Dalbeattie Community Council would be delighted if anyone who has photos of the original garden, or any Rounall Wood photos that they can share , if you do please upload them to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dalbeattie-Community-Council/335286689941469
Photos and info shared with permission of Dalbeattie community council
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