Volunteers combat plant invaders
Hundreds of Natioinal Trust volunteers such as those pictured will be spending the weekend pulling up Himalayan balsam and other invasive ferns from ponds as part of efforts to tackle such countryside intruders.
The National Trust has started a first 'plant invaders week' against the threat posed by invasive species by targeting four of the most damaging non-native plants on its land by 2020.
Trust workers will be trying to eliminate rhododendron ponticum, giant hogweed, Hottentot fig and Japanese knotweed, which all spread rapidly, eliminating other habitats.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Trust also warned that warmer climate change temperatures in the UK could see more non-native invasive plants thrive after being inadvertently imported.
Volunteers will be working at the more than 70 National Trust sites infiltrated by the plant invaders.