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Invasive Species Control at a Dorset Nature Reserve: Daily Field Notes from Sherlock’s Tree & Countryside Services

This week, our team is engaged in a multi-day ecological contracting project at a nature reserve in Dorset, concentrating on controlling invasive and non-native plant species. Our primary targets include Cotoneaster, Buddleia, Rhododendron ponticum, Yew, Laurel (which is toxic to livestock), and Japanese Knotweed—plants that significantly threaten native biodiversity.We’ll be updating this blog daily to share our progress, methods, and field observations. Each entry will detail the practical...

Hedge trim/reduction and Field Maple ball trim in Ivybridge

Ivybridge Hedge Care: Hawthorn, Privet & Field Maple Trim with Ecological SensitivitySherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services recently completed a detailed hedge reduction and ornamental tree trim in Ivybridge, working with a mature Hawthorn and Privet hedge alongside a Field Maple shaped into a ball form. The client requested a tidier boundary with improved structure — all while preserving the garden’s natural charm and wildlife value.Hawthorn & Privet Hedge Reduction: Robust Yet ...

Bamboo eradication in Ivybridge

At Sherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services, we deliver expert invasive species control, grounds maintenance, and wildlife-friendly land care across Ivybridge, Plymouth, and the South Hams. This week’s project involved reclaiming a planting bed in Ivybridge that had been heavily infested with bamboo — a fast-spreading species that can overwhelm borders and suppress biodiversity.Step 1: Reshaping Ornamentals and Clearing ArisingsThe site featured a mature camellia, rhododendron, and bay tre...

Remote-Controlled Precision: My First Day with the Robo Flail

“After 33 years of hands-on land care, I’ve learned that the right tool doesn’t just make the job easier—it makes it safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Today I unpacked a new addition to the Sherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services fleet: a remote-controlled Robo Flail. Designed to tackle steep slopes and dense vegetation with precision, this machine promises to take the strain out of vegetation management while maintaining the ecological sensitivity my clients expect. First impress...

Vegetation Management and Bat House Maintenance at a Dorset Nature Reserve: A Hands-On Effort on behalf of the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Working alongside the Dorset Wildlife Trust, we recently took part in a rewarding conservation project at a Dorset nature reserve, tackling overgrown vegetation and performing vital maintenance on a bat house. This hands-on effort was all about restoring balance to the ecosystem, controlling problematic plants, and supporting the reserve’s wildlife, including its bat population. Here’s a detailed look at our work and its impact.Clearing Dense VegetationThe reserve was grappling with dense th...

Bamboo Removal in Devon Invasive Plant Control & Grounds Maintenance

🌿 Bamboo Removal in Devon: A Three-Stage Eradication by Sherlock’s Tree & Countryside ServicesUncontrolled bamboo can quickly become a landscaping nightmare—spreading aggressively, damaging hard surfaces, and outcompeting native plants. At Sherlock’s Tree and Countryside Services, we specialise in invasive plant control across Devon and the South West, including the complete removal of established bamboo stands.🧤 Stage 1: Bamboo Cutback, Waste Removal & Herbicide TreatmentOn ...

Sunshine, Showers, and a Laurel Hedge: A Day in Ivybridge

Today’s job took me to Ivybridge, where I tackled a mature laurel hedge that had outgrown its welcome. The weather couldn’t quite make up its mind—one moment I was working under a grey drizzle, the next I was squinting into sunshine. Classic Devon.Despite the shifting skies, the job ran smoothly thanks to my full battery-powered setup. I used 18v battery hedge trimmers and battery secateurs throughout—quiet, efficient, and ideal for working in residential areas without disturbing the pea...