It was touch and go for the apple blossom in Portmoak Community Orchard this spring, as the weather forecasters warned of possible frost in May. Luckily, the flowers survived though the blossom may have been slightly patchier than in previous years.

Now that it’s summertime the Portmoak Community Woodland Group’s latest job has been to thin out the young apples, so that the rest grow to a decent size. All being well, we’ll have a good crop in time for our annual Apple Day on Sunday October 4th.

While one display of pink blossom is welcome, another not so much!

It’s a pity that the pink Himalayan Balsam flower is rather pretty because the relentless spread of this invasive plant is not good news at all. Once again, members of PCWG will be keeping a good look out for any of the plants in and around Portmoak Moss - and pulling them out if we find them.  There’s nothing they like better than a damp ditch and a hidden corner where they can grow undisturbed and scatter their seeds, with tremendous force.

We keep waders and protective gloves ready for action, as the Himalayan Balsam is quick to displace and reduce the variety of our native flora. It’s horrible, messy work but at least the plant is fairly easy to remove - roots and all.

In the background to these summer tasks, gradual progress is being made on the future of Portmoak Moss.  Its owners, the Woodland Trust Scotland, have been trying to find a date for a site meeting with Peatland Action, who are the experts on peat bog restoration. At the end of a workshop in March, involving members of the woodland group and of the community, everyone felt that we needed to discuss various options on site. It's taken a long time to find a suitable date but at last there is one and the visit will be for the same people who attended the workshop.

Meanwhile, WTS are also commissioning various studies on the ecology and hydrology of the Moss, to give us as much information as possible.

The meetings of the woodland group continue as usual, every third Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm for 6.45pm in The Well Country Inn, Scotlandwell.  All are welcome.