Trees cut down to save gorse

The gorse and heather supports a range of plants and insects

Tree surgeons are cutting down trees on Jersey's Portelet Common to save heather and gorse there.

There is concern that having too many evergreen oak trees prevents the growth of shrubs which are home to a variety of plant and insect life.

Jersey's countryside manager, John Pinel, described the land on the common as a mosaic of heathers and gorse which supported a range of plants and insects.

Mr Pinel said that as there were no cows grazing on the land, and no-one using a mower on it, trees could grow unchecked.

A local firm of tree surgeons is cutting down the trees to allow the lower-growing flowers and plants to flourish.