The Cherry Area Conclusions

Non-Native Cherry is by far the most dominant ground cover species in this area, with coverage more than 4 times that for the moss Hypnum cupressiforme, the second most prominent species.  All the remaining 10 species below Broad Buckler Fern (in terms of % cover values) each have a coverage of less than 2%.  The mean height for the Non-Native Cherry is 59cm, towering above all the other less prominent species.   The results indicate that the Non-Native Cherry may pose a serious threat to the future diversity of this area.   The reason for this is that the cherry plants are fast growing and they can make dense ground cover which prevents essential sunlight from reaching other young plants.

N.B. It should be noted that there are lots of tall native Silver Birch trees (Betula pendula).   If the alien cherry prevents young native tree saplings from growing, there will be no new native trees to replace older specimens when they die.  Indeed, no Silver Birch saplings were recorded within the ground level survey of the Cherry Area.  Alien Non-Native Cherry (Prunus sp.) and Red Oak (Quercus rubra) are present as tall trees.