We returned to the area that we last hacked just after the Covid lockdown eased up in August 2020. Hack No 687! The Myrtle has really flourished in the interim, as well as a few Gums. It is the area bounded by Vlei Road, south of Porter and accessed from Aster Crescent.
The Myrtle had pretty much all grown from seeds as there was little evidence of coppicing. Around the fringes there were a lot of densely packed seedlings that required hand ‘weeding’. Then one moved up to the areas where lopping and popping were the easiest methods before some of the oldest trees required chainsaws.
The whole area was a solid mass of myrtle extending for at least 100m at a width of some 10-15m.
Everyone got stuck in and the line of myrtle slowly started to retreat.
We decided to use the pre-existing debris piles and just added to them. These, in general, did not have seedlings growing through them.
By the end the piles had increased radically with the amount we placed.
There is no question we will be returning here for some more attacks. We hope to get much done prior to the main rains as the vlei can impede access from the eastern side where we started this time.
There definitely appears to be another line of myrtles to the west, in towards the centre of the open area.
Once these main ocurences have been cleared ther is the prospect of inspecting the entire open area for more scattered aliens.
Once again, our thanks to Mary, Lee and Anne for the refreshments.
As I have said before, on behalf of the Betty’ Bay fynbos, Thank you all for the efforts.
David Mourant
Convener Betty’s Bay Hack Group