Petersham Common (National Nature Reserve) - Autumn / Winter 2025/26
Welcome to Petersham Common and our newsletter letting you know what is happening on the Common. Please enjoy exploring - staying on the paths and taking your litter home.
This is a busy period in the year. We will be working on existing sustainable drainage system, clearing mud and leaves as well as installing new drainage runs to accommodate peak flows and distribute water more evenly across the Common. We will be maintaining the glades, pavements and public rights of way through the Common. We will also plant over 1000 bulbs including native bluebells.
The 2025 dry spring created favourable conditions for oak tree pollination and may result in this being a significant ‘mast’ year. The word ‘mast’ originates from ‘mæst’, which historically referred to nuts and fruits of forest trees, particularly those that had fallen, that are used as food for domestic animals, especially pigs. A ‘mast year’ is an ecological event where a population of trees, such as oak (Quercus species), produces an unusually large, synchronized crop of fruits and seeds (acorns for oaks) followed by years of low production. This phenomenon is a clever evolutionary strategy. By producing an abundance of acorns all at once, predators (squirrels, mice, jays etc) are unable to eat them all. This ensures that a greater number of acorns survive, disperse and germinate to become the next generation of Petersham Common oak trees such as the one below.
We have initiated a volunteer day to encourage people from our local community and surrounding area to take part in helping us to manage the Common. A volunteer day will be on the 2nd Wednesday of every month with a start time of 10am. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance at petersham1902@gmail.com and we will arrange a meeting spot. No experience is necessary (under 18’s require parental supervision). We will guide you through tasks providing appropriate training and tools. Activities will include planting (bulbs and saplings), coppicing / pruning, litter picking, maintaining sustainable drainage systems, opening vistas. We look forward to meeting you.