Reed Bed Management
Reed Bed Removal & Reed Cutting
As experts in the field of lake maintenance and waterway management, we understand the importance of reed beds within the natural environment. Reed beds aren’t only a vital way of capturing and storing storm water but they are also an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and also offer an aesthetic value. In order to maintain these habitats, reed bed maintenance must be carried out regularly, with reed cutting an essential part of that process – this is where the Boyden Environmental team can help.
The importance of reed bed management and reed cutting
Without effective management, reed beds will eventually dry out, becoming woodland and shrubland, reducing the usable area of your lake or pond. In order to keep reed bed problems at bay and protect the habitat as a natural environmental resource, reed cutting must be carried out regularly by someone who understands the reed bed system and how to properly maintain it.
A well maintained reed bed is a refuge for endangered species and offers thatching material, while being perfect for birdwatching, game shooting and as bankside protection against erosion from waves, water and wind.
However, with such a fragile ecosystem calling this area home, reed bed management must be carried out carefully and deftly in order to reduce harmful effects on surrounding plants and wildlife. At Boyden Environmental, we specialise in lake and pond management, employing state of the art equipment and reed cutting tools to minimise the impacts of reed bed maintenance.
Know your reeds
There are two main types of reed that can be found in UK waterways. While they may share a habitat, they are very different in nature.
Typha (Cattail, Bulrush, Reedmace)
With around 30 different species, typha are perennial plants that are a prevalent type of pond reed in the UK. Establishing themselves in shallow water, they trap silt around their roots, bringing up the level of the surrounding pond floor and allowing them to spread into water which would otherwise have been too deep to root in.
Phragmites (Common Reed, Norfolk Reed)
A genus of four types of flowering reed grasses, phragmites are an invasive pond plant that can quickly grow out of control. With an extensive root system, phragmites can overpopulate a body of water and remove much of its moisture, reverting it from water to land. Phragmites also die back each autumn, creating large amounts of tinder which can pose a fire risk in summer.
How can we help?
Thanks to our extensive experience and modern reed cutting equipment you can count on us to cut, remove and manage reed beds on your commercial or domestic property.
For removal of bulrush and other typha, we use our clamshell bucket attachment to pull the bulrush out by its roots. We then use a rake attachment to collect the plant debris from the water. While future growth will occur, by removing the plant in its entirety we can more easily manage new growth.
For phragmite reed bed removal, we find that employing an excavator to remove the rhizome root system offers the best long-term results. This method weakens the plant and helps to limit regrowth. Once the root system has been removed, reed cutting and herbicides can keep the phragmites in order.
Our state of the art machines are capable of accessing your reed bed’s remotest areas, reducing the time and effort of manual reed cutting and lake management. Contact us today to learn more.
Get a quote How can we help?
As well as offering reliable, transparent and flexible silt removal services, our competitive pricing makes Boyden Environmental an ideal choice for domestic and commercial clients. For an efficient and affordable solution to all your lake and pond cleaning needs, get in touch with our team today:
