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Problem:
Docks were spreading from the South West, where they grew
alongside the river bank. The field was only later summer
grazed (& lightly), by cattle.
Clustered
beds of Docks near the banks of the river, contained 100
or more roots to 25metres squared. Less than 1/16th
of the field was so infested. On the other hand, Dock plants
could be found growing in smaller clusters over most of
the field (estimate.2 to 25 metres squared).
Action
taken: Four men worked for 2 days in late May, removing
the docks from the field. (56 Man hrs.of actual lifting).
More than two tons of small & awkward dock plants were
removed from long grass (always tricky). Another whole day
would have been required to finish the job, but stewardship
aid (£40 per acre),was not sufficient to cover this.
Cost:
£480. (if finished £720)
Assessment:
2/3rds of the worst infestations were thoroughly cleared,
and 90% of the rogue clusters in the rest of the field were
removed. One more day next year (when the client can afford
it), will see the job finished. We recommended strimming
the remaining docks to avoid seeding. Knap-sacking was a
possibility, but with such a wealth of rare flowers, it
would have been dangerous, not necessarily effective, as
well as costly. There is no doubt that dock removal from
lightly grazed PP can be very effective (see reports T09
and T032).
Gang booked for 2004.
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