Watch out for nests while pruning
An appeal is going out from Warwickshire County Council’s Home Wood Chipping Service for gardeners to look out for bird’s nests when tackling the garden this spring.
Ken Simons, Senior Forester at the county council, said: “We’re all getting into the gardens at the moment, but people should realise that they could be breaking the law if they disturb nesting birds over the next six months while pruning trees or woody shrubs.
“We know an awful lot of people are getting out into the gardens because demand has shot up for the Wood Chipping Service. In fact there are now waiting lists in some parts of the county so I’d advise people to book early ahead of carrying out the work.”
The county council’s Home Wood Chipping Service covers the whole of Warwickshire and costs £20 an hour.
Green garden waste is recognised as a useful resource for gardeners and the wood chipping service provided by Warwickshire County Council has allowed residents to have their own prunings chipped at their home and then used for mulching their garden.
Mulching is an excellent way of controlling weeds and clearing ground. It works by depriving light, without which the weeds cannot grow.
The home wood chipping service will chip twigs and branches of up to 12.5cm (5 inches) in diameter leaving customers with loose shredded chippings. These chippings can then be used as a weed suppressing, moisture retaining mulch or composted.
Bookings can be made by telephone on 01926 738827, between 9am and 12.15 pm. There is an answerphone service outside these hours.