Saving the gorse at Gorse Covert Mounds

GORSE Bushes are in decline – on Warrington’s  Gorse Covert Mounds.
So Birchwood’s Friends of Gorse Covert Mounts have committed to a regeneration project to save gorse for its eponymous site.
In agreement with site owners the Woodland Trust the group have committed to fund and carry out works to replant young native gorse bushes.
An investigation concluded that the decline is a natural phenomenon due to gorse being a “pioneer” species which specialises in colonising bare ground.
Examples of gorse pioneering new ground can be seen on new embankments and on heathlands following fire or other disruption.
On Gorse Covert Mounds, most gorse plants seen now originate from the creation of the site, when Birchwood was formed as part of the Warrington New Town.
Unfortunately, these plants are now very “leggy” and many have succumbed to shading out by trees of the same age. Regeneration has not taken place naturally due to the settled nature of the site, so the Group have resolved to work with the Woodland Trust to plant new gorse plants, thereby keeping the association between the plant and the site name.
Group chairman Nigel Balding said: “We know that gorse is a wonderful native species that supports many different species and provides shelter and food. Gorse has beautiful bright yellow flowers that appear all year round and they have a wonderful strong scent similar to butterscotch. There is a saying, “when the gorse is in bloom, kissing is in season” and you can always find some flowers in a group of gorse plants if you look hard enough.
“To start our regeneration project, we need to prepare some bare ground for new plants. A few suitable locations have been agreed with the Woodland Trust, including near the car park entrance on Gorse Covert Road, where a couple of original plants remain.
“Volunteers are needed to clear thick brambles and remove any other plant species which might choke young gorse plants. We have large working gloves and a few loppers, but we think we will need people to bring digging tools like a spade or mattock. If you can help on Saturday  February 18, starting at 10.00am, then please email me on [email protected] or call 07960 736203.”
Once the ground is prepared the group will arrange for planting-up with young gorse plants and monitor their progress for the rest of the season.
In addition, the group are holding their annual “spring clean” on Saturday March 4 in association with Keep Britain Tidy.
They are starting at 10am at Gorse Covert Mounds site car park. All are welcome but volunteers are asked to bring strong footwear and warm working clothes. Under 18s should be accompanied by an adult.