Park News

This is a wonderful season. The migrant birds are lining up on the telephone lines ready to fly off to Africa – thousands of miles on tiny wings. The berries and fruits are on the shrubs and trees ready to feed the blackbirds, waxwings and so many other birds – both UK residents and winter visitors. Our vegetable patches are now giving us a return on the efforts we have put in earlier in the year and will soon be expecting us to prune them back and turn over their beds so they can cleanse themselves with the coming frosts and the soil lumps break down to a fine tilth.
 
We can expect the trees to start shredding their leaves – many of them have started early this year because of the unusual weather patterns we have experienced. Many of the Park’s plane trees have shed much more bark this year and a good month earlier than usual! The Horse Chestnut Trees have turned brown earlier this year but that is because of the infestation by Leaf Miner Moth – whilst this is unsightly it doesn’t seem to distress the trees too much – whilst Bleeding Canker is a greater problem.
 
The Bee colony in the Park appears to have done a good job of pollination – I hope that the Apiarist has had a good honey return. The Wasps are now turning unpleasant – once they start to feed on fermenting fallen fruit they are no better than the drunks in Slab Square.
 
The pigeons and squirrels have been feasting on beechmast – you will have noticed the mess they leave after dining.
 
What NPEL’s Contractor Will Be Doing
 
The leaf fall programme will soon be in full swing – earlier this year than usual. The sweeper brushes on the pavement machines will be altered to stiffer bristles to reduce the amount of moss on the pathways to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
 
Once the permission of Nottingham Councils Tree Officer has been obtained we can start to raise some of the lower branches on the pavement trees to above head height to provide a safe walking environment.
 
The lawned areas will be receiving a Winter dressing to improve drainage and encourage better growth next year.
 
Autumn pruning of beds and borders will be under way to prevent ‘windrock’ damaging plants and roots.
 
What you could be doing
 
Many of the things done in the communal areas need to be done in residents own gardens as well. Patios and pathways need pressure washing to remove lichen and moss. Drains and gutters need clearing out ready for winter rainstorms.
 
The shrubs, rose and fruit trees need pruning and the beds preparing for winter. The summer bedding plants have to come out – take cuttings for next year and overwinter them in the greenhouse or conservatory. Winter and spring bedding can go in – pansies etc. Bulbs should be planted now to give the blooms early next spring.
 
The trees need to be pruned whilst they are dormant – it is too stressful to cut most species back when they are in growth mode. Wait until the leaves are coming off!
 
Don’t forget the Park is entirely a Conservation Area so any work to trees will need the blessing of the Nottingham City Councils Tree Officer in the Planning Department (tel 01159 155457). Forms have to be filled in and there can be up to a six week wait before a decision is obtained.
 
Finally, a sincere request –
 
Could residents and their gardeners please help the Contractors to keep the roads and pathways as pleasant as possible by not sweeping their garden refuse (both leaves and hedgecuttings) out of the gates and onto the public areas. Sometimes this is done only hours after they have been swept and this means they may well not be due for a routine sweep for another four weeks.
 
Similarly, the dog poop bins are emptied regularly but both the circuses and many of the tree bases are decorated with ‘barkers rosettes’ which is both unsightly and unhealthy. The dog owners must know their pets have left their calling cards, please pick it up and bin it. It is so much nicer for everyone!