WORK is starting later this month to improve a regionally important nature reserve in Bromsgrove.

The work it taking place to clear undergrowth from Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Commons nature reserve, which is known locally as Hanbury Woods.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, which owns the reserve, will be clearing some of the denser areas of bramble, to make sure they don’t smother the trunks of any of the veteran trees at the site, and to help maintain the open areas which help make up the ancient wood pasture.

James Hitchock, conservation officer responsible for the reserve, said: “These glorious veteran trees – mainly oak and sweet chestnut– are an important feature of our landscape. Not only does Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Commons contain some of the oldest trees in Worcestershire but it’s also has one of the highest concentrations of them in the West Midlands.

“We’ve already done quite a lot of work removing young trees from around the veterans; creating space to give them increased access to sunlight and nutrients in the soils.

“This work is ongoing. To maintain what has already been done, we need to manage the open areas we have created, which is why we will also be cutting some of the larger patches of bramble.

“Brambles are really important for wildlife – from providing pollen to insects to berries for birds and small mammals – so we won’t be removing it completely.

“We’ll actually be leaving a lot of the cut material in situ as both this and dead wood make great habitats for wildlife.”

Some of the trees in Hanbury Woods are approximately 400 years old, making them vital for insects and fungi as well as important homes for birds and bats.

Wood pasture is often associated with old commons, where young saplings were often unable to survive the attention of grazing by commoners’ animals, which left a number of old, widely spaced trees with a grassy woodland floor.

James added: “We’ll also be carrying out some work around a large oak tree in the car park to protect its extensive root system. As well as moving the bollards further away from the base of the tree we’ll also be mulching the root system in order to increase the organic matter and help alleviate compaction.”

Once the work begins at Hanbury Woods, contractors will be on the site for about a week, and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is asking all visitors to adhere to on-site safety signs.