The True Service tree (Sorbus domestica) seed collection in Worcestershire 2016 – Mike Averill

Kew Gardens requested that we collect some seeds of the True Service tree (also called the Whitty Pear) for their Millennium Seed Collection. Mike Averill documents his visits to trees in the county and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the planting of Wyre Forest’s oldest Whitty Pear.

 (From Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2016)

The author describes the scarce Black Poplars and notes their significance in the locality.  

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)

The author explains why Wyre, on a bio-geographical divide between the upland north-west and lowland south-east, is of interest for plants.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)

Low water levels in the River Severn provided a rare opportunity to survey of the plants growing on the quayside. 104 species were recorded and the list is included in this article. 

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)

This article celebrates 18 years of championing this helleborine species in the Wyre Forest in conjunction with Plantlife’s ‘Back from the Brink’ project. 

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2015)

Historical photographs show the splendid lime avenue leading from Ribbesford Church, and its demise. 

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2014)

The author traces the history of cherry growing nationally and locally, and lists cherry varieties. He writes about the need to identify and preserve the old Wyre cherry varieties and propagate new stock before it is too late.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2014)

Wild-growing Apples and Mistletoe in the Wyre Forest, Wimperhill and Longdon Orchard – Susan Limbrey

This first phase of a wider survey documents apple trees in part of the Wyre Forest, and the presence of mistletoe where it has been located.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2014)

Planting the 2013 Whitty Pear – Harry Green

Mrs. Woodward of Arley Castle planted a Whitty Pear tree in Wyre in 1916 after the large veteran tree had been burnt down. Nearly 100 years later, in March 2013, her grand-daughter, Hermione Gerry planted another one in the Wyre Forest Arboretum, and this article celebrates that occasion. 

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2013)

The author documents plants that have moved into the forest in recent years and questions whether some of these should be eradicated.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2012)

Edmund Pitt (1613-1688) and Sorbus domestica in Wyre Forest – Frank Horsman

Dr Frank Horsman provides a brief biography of Edmund Pitt and quotes from one of his letters wrtitten in 1678 describing his discovery of Sorbus domestica in the Wyre Forest.

(Originally written for the Botanical Society of the British Isles NEWS in January 2000 and recently in the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2010)  

The author notes the first record of Sorbus domesticus, the Whitty Pear or True Service Tree, in 1677 from the Wyre Forest. He documents subsequent references and describes the current national distribution of this species.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2010)  

The author records some of the special species that he discovered in the Wyre Forest during 2008.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2008)  

This is a summary of a BSc Independent Study which compares the vegetation within and outside fenced plots which restrict deer browsing, the results of which have implications for future woodland management.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2007)  

The author provides measurements of the Mawley Oak when it was standing and documents damage to the tree in August 1974 and when it finally fell on the night of the 3rd November 2005.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2005)  

The author relates his links with the Wyre Forest and his interest in Sorbus domestica trees across the region. 

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2005)  

The author describes his exciting rediscovery of  the Common Wintergreen in the Wyre Forest after a gap of 100 years. He notes previous records and encourages readers to continue the search for other colonies.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2005)  

The author writes a second article about uncommon plants found in the Wyre Forest. This time he describes Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Soft-leaved Sedge (Carex montana), Mountain Melick Grass (Melica nutans), Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) and Bog Pimpernel (Anagallis tenella). He also credits George Jordan, a local botanist (1783-1871).

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2004)  

The author describes his ongoing efforts to combat the spread of Himalayan Balsam in Shrawley Wood and beyond.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2003)  

The Wyre Forest lies between upland and lowland Britain and as a result has an interesting mix of plants. The following uncommon plants are described: Wood Crane’s-bill, Moonwort, Chaffweed, Heath Cudweed and Marsh Violet, and some of the species now lost to the forest are mentioned.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2003)  

The large veteran Mawley Oak collapsed on 29th October 2001. Statistics are provided for the tree in 1975, and photographs show the tree in 1991 and after the collapse.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2001)  

Plantlife adopted Cephalanthera longifolia as one of its species for its ‘Back from the Brink’ species recovery programme. The Wyre Forest was chosen as one of 3 sites in the UK in which to study this species in depth and manage the sites to aid recovery. The author provides background information about this species and notes historical and current records from her reports of 1999 and 2000

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2000)  

The author documents how he  is trying different ways to control Himalayan Balsam in and around the forest.

(From the Wyre Forest Study Group REVIEW 2002)