Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet)
In Toll Wood:
Wild privet in Toll Wood only appears towards the Western edge of Toll Wood close to the exposed chalk scarp face. Strictly, this is a shrub but is included here as a woody plant. A healthy cluster of plants provides ample cover for nesting birds and good supplies of black berries (very poisonous to humans). Ultimate height and spread between 2.5m and 4m.
Management. Wild privet needs good levels of light. So, if we are to encourage its presence, there will need to be some thinning of other species.
The privet may be a beneficiary of tentative plans to fully open up the western flank to encourage woodland floor flora.
Biodiversity value: MEDIUM
The presence of wild privet may support the privet hawk-moth. But we have no evidence of this species in Toll Wood. Keep eyes open for lime-green caterpillars with purple streaks and black hook at the tail end.
In general, wild privet is especially important to moth populations.
Summer-flowering.
Leaf fall: Wild privet in Toll Wood enjoy the protection of many other tree species. Generally they lose their leaves in late-season (November/December), but can behave as semi-evergreen in such protection. With climate change extending warm periods, holding onto leaves for longer makes sense as a survival mechanism. While, more extreme autumn storms might leave them vulnerable to wind-throw or damage to limbs, they are well protected.
Propagation Options (see our summary of general techniques) - an important tree/shrub to expand in lighter edges of the wood. Using both cuttings (to increasse the number of plants) and seed (for biodiversity)
(1) Seed Collection - September-December - collect berries.
Wash off the pulp, and plant in autumn to allow natural stratification through the winter, or store in sand and peat for 6 months.
(2) Hardwood Cuttings taken in November-February are the easiest way to propagate wild privet.
and Layering to create exact replicas of the parent tree (cloning). This retains any genetic features that appear important.
