AN invitation to ‘pull a pine’ has been issued by staff and volunteers at the RSPB’s Farnham Heath nature reserve in Surrey.

“What do we mean by pulling a pine? Literally that,” said assistant warden Sam Richardson. “We’re inviting people to help maintain heathland at Farnham while having physical fun and helping themselves to a free Christmas tree pulled fresh from the soil.

“The pine trees which spring up on the heath come from dormant seeds of the vast conifer plantation which covered this reserve. Before that it was all heathland for hundreds of years and we’re restoring it to that state. We now know heathland supports rare and diverse birds, reptiles and bugs and is one of the most threatened habitats worldwide.”

The Farnham Heath project has been running for more than 10 years, with the aim of maintaining the beautiful heathland which once covered the Surrey Hills. If left unattended the land will be quickly colonised by birch and pine saplings and eventually the whole area will become forest.

Sam Richarfdson continued: “Although we promote woodland habitat on site, the pressing need to maintain heathland is greater. The rarest and most endangered species living at Farnham heavily depend on a healthy heath habitat. Nightjars need wide areas of short vegetation for nesting; sand lizards will lay eggs in patches of bare sandy ground; and short heather turf provides hunting areas for woodlark and ideal egg laying conditions for silver studded blue butterflies.

“Every year our dedicated group of volunteers help prevent the heathland from becoming lost and now we are inviting the wider community to lend a helping hand too.

“The event is open to anyone and everyone and relies solely on enthusiasm! Not only are there benefits for the local wildlife, but it’s also great exercise and very satisfying when the pines pop out the ground. It saves you money and helps us out, so it’s a win-win situation!

“As a token of our appreciation for any amount of time you can give on the day, we’re offering a free Christmas tree as a ‘thank you’ for taking part.

“We provide all necessary tools, so all that’s required is for enthusiastic people to wrap up warm, come on down to Farnham and have some fun,” Sam concluded.