Oxfordshire Woodland Group

A Forestry Commission approved trial to use pigs in woodland to clear invasive species was observed at Christmas Common.

The pigs used were Black Berkshires and Gloucester old Spots.

The area cleared by the pigs is extensive with almost no remaining vegetative ground cover and the pigs natural habit of snouting the ground has resulted in the raising of many flints to the surface.

The crop of flints revealed is extensive and could easily be gathered by hand for use in building projects.

Ken Hume