29 Apr 2026
A Photo Station to Monitor Himalayan Balsam
Himalayan balsam is an invasive introduced species that has long been a problem, here in the woods and in many other places.
Green Appleton and the Earth Trust have been involved in balsam pulling activities for the past two years, in an effort
to contain it - see blog articles Green Appleton in the Balsam Battle and
Pulling Balsam in Besselsleigh Woods - Year 2. However, we know that
the stuff will keep on coming back, and it will take several years of pulling it up before we get rid of it.
To show the progress we are making (if any) we have set up another photo station, pointing at the main area where balsam
pulling had been done. We hope people will take pictures here, and over time these will show the balsam growing during the
spring and summer, but becoming smaller and fewer in number as the years pass anh they are pulled up every year.
So as you enter the woods from the Appleton end, look to your right, take a photo of the balsam
and upload it to the website!
