A TEAM of wildlife volunteers and officers have carried out essential work to help protect a Tynedale nature reserve.

The work, led by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, saw protection installed around this year’s coppiced trees at Juliet’s Wood reserve, near Slaley.

Coppicing is a procedure whereby trees are cut back periodically to stimulate new growth through dormant buds on the tree stump which is still living.

Without protection, all the fresh growth would likely be eaten and the trees, planted around 10 years ago, would either die or struggle to produce vigorous growth in the coming years.

The wire used in the operation was donated by the Ponteland Wildlife Group.

The team worked against the clock to complete the work before the Government coronavirus restrictions.