3 members of the Mill Hill Preservation Society committee made an escorted visit recently to the site.Our medium to long term plans were discussed, and all appeared pleased with the hardwork already carried out.

Work continues into the summer, however it is taking longer than expected.

Map of Oakfields

We have cleared away the dead and dying  smaller flora from below the canopy of the various oak trees. This will give them their first chance in decades to take their fair share of the local nutrients and goodness from the soil. 

As you can see, the tree looks splendid.

Please take heed of the warning signs along the path at Oakfields,they are there for your own safety.

As spring is here we will be working very hard to utilise the new extended daylight hours, please be mindful that chainsaws will be in operation.

We have been hard at work reducing the dead and rotting trees.
Here is a great example of what we have found. The tree itself will not go to waste,as we are creating log-pile habitats for current and future occupants!

We were able to purchase the land at Oakfields in Mill Hill during the summer of 2010.

With no active husbandry for some time the woodland has become thick with sycamore and laurel. It has regretfully also been used as a dump for all manner of non biodegradable waste.

We have begun to clear out the non biodegradable rubbish. With the biodegradable waste we have begun to create woodpiles and brush collections. These will be resources for invertebrates as well as nesting sites. Birds are already beginning to create nesting sites.

Through active and sustainable management we intend to encourage the health of the older trees in the wood, as well as encourage wildlife habitat.

This is a long term project, taking several years rather than months. Our initial 6 months shows some promise and we hope to have more photographic evidence of this very soon

Please be mindful of our arboriculturalist, and his use of arborial machinery. He is constantly working on dead and dying trees.

We intend to update the Oakfields Mill Hill site on a regular basis

The Oakfields Mill Hill blog will be updated periodically with information on our sympathetic management of the woodland, and how we are improving wildlife habitats at the site off Burtonhole Lane in Mill Hill, London NW7 – which is also known as Buntings Field.