Heather Botrytis

[ba-ba]

Unfortunately due to the heavy winter, with many areas of open fell being under snow on frozen ground for prolonged periods of time. Melt water has only been able to percolate into the ground to a depth of a couple of inches, and the resulting stagnant water has proven irresistible to fungal diseases, particularly Botrytis.

Unfortunately this spread has left heather at risk to permanent damage, the authorities believing that footfall is one of the most damaging impacts on heather, due to the force being put through such a small area by a falling foot.

As such, all open heath-land in north of Birmingham appears to have been closed off from members of the public indefinetly, a ruling which will be vigorously enforced by the relevant authorities :thunbdown:

best dust off those road shoes folks:thunbdown:

[Brotherton Lad]

Do road shoes cause less damage to the heather?

[Derby Tup]

Do road shoes cause less damage to the heather?

Only on certain days of the year

[Rob Furness]

I don't see how running/walking on the paths would affect the heather in any way at all, surely if the damage has been done by the winter it's not going to make a blind bit of difference closing the moor off.

[keever]

I don't see how running/walking on the paths would affect the heather in any way at all, surely if the damage has been done by the winter it's not going to make a blind bit of difference closing the moor off.

Oh dear.

[Brotherton Lad]

I suspect it's only a one day closure. Heather regenerates very quickly and will probably be sorted by tomorrow.

[keever]

I suspect it's only a one day closure. Heather regenerates very quickly and will probably be sorted by tomorrow.

My understanding was that the effects of Botrytis are gone by the afternoon.

[Rob Furness]

Hilarious

I've never been good at spotting April Fools.

[Rob Furness]

Anyone else find it amusing that my first post was at 11:59

[ba-ba]

One of the better April fools jokes today: making mountain names easier!