Post Seven

In front of you is an old coppiced hazel. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. In spring the long male catkins shed pollen which is blown on the wind to a female flower on a different plant. In autumn the nuts are food for small mammals and birds such as nuthatch.

Rhododendron was introduced to Scadbury as an ornamental plant. To the right of the post here you can see it is expanding, reducing the light available for bluebells. It is important to manage the growth of this invasive plant for the benefit of native species.

As you walk towards post 8 look for dead wood. It is home for invertebrates, microscopic animals and fungi, many of which break down wood returning plant food to the soil. For this reason dead wood is not not removed from the Nature Reserve.