AN invitation to ‘pull a pine’ and take home a free Christmas tree attracted more than a hundred participants to the RSPB’s Farnham Heath nature reserve.

The RSPB has been working for a decade to restore Farnham Heath, found next to the Rural Life Centre in Reeds Road, to its traditional state as lowland heath which once covered most of the Surrey Hills.

If left unattended the land would quickly become forest and on Saturday, December 5, the RSPB enlisted the help of the public to help clear the land of invasive pine trees.

This was the first ever ‘pull a pine’ event at Farnham Heath and everyone left with a Christmas tree from a sustainable source. Reserve staff were surprised to find they’d collectively cleared more than they’d hoped for.

“We invited people to help maintain the open landscape at Farnham Heath while having physical fun and helping themselves to a Christmas tree pulled fresh from the soil,” said assistant warden Sam Richardson.

“The event was open to anyone and everyone and was fuelled by the enthusiasm of all those who turned-up. Our thanks go out to everyone who muscled-in and we were delighted to see so many leave with a fresh Christmas tree.

“It’s great to think that bits of Farnham Heath will be at the centre of so many families Christmas memories this year.”

Future projects on the heath this winter include the ongoing clearance of pine saplings by volunteers, and mowing short patches in the heather to encourage concentrated cattle grazing next year, which in turn will create foraging habitat for ground nesting birds such as woodlark and ideal egg laying conditions for silver studded blue butterflies.

Sam Richardson continued: “The pine tree saplings which spring up on the heath are evidence of the vast conifer plantation which once covered this reserve. Before that it was all heathland for hundreds of years and we’re restoring it to that natural state.

“Heathland supports all sorts of rare and wonderful wildlife which has adapted to the open space, such as ground nesting birds, and creatures which need patches of bare earth and gorse or heather. Lowland heath like this is one of the most threatened habitats worldwide.”

Anyone planning a seasonal walk at Farnham Heath may be lucky enough to spot over-wintering Dartford warblers, stonechat and ravens.

If a more vigorous work-out is wanted, the RSPB is always looking for additional support on its volunteer work parties, which operate weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays, or every fourth Sunday of the month.

For directions to the reserve and for more information visit the website: rspb.org.uk/farnhamheath.