Flora and Fauna in NW7

Darlands Lake, with its diverse range of wildlife, sits in the Totteridge Valley between Mill Hill and Totteridge and is looked after by Darlands Conservation Trust. Darlands Lake was created by the damming of Folly Brook early in the 19th century, however there is nothing ‘false looking’ about the lake today. It has a fine woodland setting with some lovely spring flowers.

Leg of Mutton Pond in Moat Mount Open Space is a source of the Dean’s Brook. The pond is in managed woodland and shrubbery called Nut Wood. The Long Ponds are to be found on Totteridge Common, situated on a long ridge that runs from High Barnet, through Arkley, Barnet Gate, Elstree to Stanmore.

The Society also has a focus on trees – new trees, old trees, Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) and prevention of illegal tree felling. Being vigilant in resisting applications to fell trees, especially those protected by TPO’s, and where major developments threaten clear-felling, has been a keynote of the Green-Up Group. Where trees are too close to a dwelling there is little we can do except give advice on the best course of action. However, we seek at all times to preserve the street tree scene. We urge residents that it is in their own best interest to keep the green credentials of their street as it does affect the overall property values and the quality of life, for themselves and the community. 

Planting trees is something the Society has been involved with for many years. This activity started out by offering to plant trees and shrubs at local schools for free. Then the Society included street trees but found that the red tape involved made this so difficult because consulting gas, water, and all the cable companies was required before we could plant anything. The Society, being made up of volunteers giving up their free time, found this to be impracticable.

Green-Up’s most successful schemes have been to organise tree-plantings, such as the Millennium Grove in Mill Hill Park extension field where most of the planting was carried out by children from local schools, and Mill Hill Park (now looking more like a woodland), several trees along the park side of Flower Lane, a tree of Heaven just outside Mill Hill School which replaced a 185 year old Beech tree which blew over in a gale in 1991. Three Maritime Pines on the green across the road from the Rising Sun public house (a species chosen by the Local Authority due to it’s resistance to pollution), and the 50th anniversary planting in Mill Hill Park near the tunnel under the A1.

Not only are the trees on Public Land important, some of the best examples are to be found in private gardens and grounds. These are very important to the overall green feel of Mill Hill and the owners have a huge responsibility to look after and maintain them, and the community carries an equally large debt if gratitude that they are. So whether the trees are in your front garden or council owned by the kerb side we do urge you to look after them. A bucket or two of water in really dry weather will help young trees survive and give pleasure for years to come to both young and old.