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Intro.
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Post 8
The small tree on the right of the path immediately opposite to post number 8 is an elder. Elders can grow to be small trees, but often remain as smaller shrubs. The twigs have a characteristic appearance, with a series of knobbly knuckles, that is especially noticeable in winter. The shape was faithfully copied in the "elder wand" seen in the Harry Potter films (see image below). From this point you can follow the orange arrow straight ahead back to the road and your starting point.
If you would like to follow the next, longer section of the trail and explore the northeastern parts of the Reserve, then turn left as indicated by the purple arrow and follow the path up a short set of steps and into a tunnel of dense evergreen cherry laurel. Cherry laurel is native to regions bordering the Black Sea but is highly invasive in British woodland. Its dense evergreen foliage creates dense shade and prevents rain from reaching the earth, so that no plants are able to grow beneath it. Controlling cherry laurel is one of the main regular jobs of the teams managing Old Redding Nature Reserve. The shrubs are cut down and the stumps poisoned to prevent regrowth.
The route crosses the metalled access road to the hotel; keep ahead through the laurel to emerge into much more open woodland at a T junction. You have just crossed the boundary into the main space of Harrow Weald Common, which is common land. The land is now administered by Harrow Council, however as we will see the fact that it was common land has had a profound effect on the topology. Nature Trail post 17 is here, showing that we will return to this point later. For now turn left and walk gently downhill.
To next post, post 9
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