Grass and Heathland Maintenance Programmes at Brookwood Cemetery
The grounds maintenance programme at Brookwood Cemetery has been modified in recent years to reflect the better understanding of the local ecology and in recognition of the importance of conserving plants on the site which are rare, unusual or have conservation status. This programme has been developed in consultation with Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Ecological Services and also with local ecologists who visit the site.
This programme may vary slightly from year to year dependant upon weather conditions and growth rates of vegetation but essentially the wider open cemetery areas where burials have taken place are cut between one and three times a year.
Clippings are collected at the time of cutting as this is an important part of maintaining the low
soil fertility which is a contributing factor to the unique vegetation mix at Brookwood Cemetery.
Areas cut once a year
These areas include
• Plot 134 on the North Cemetery adjacent to Long Avenue
• Plots 106-117 on the North Cemetery adjacent to Eastern Avenue
• Plots 70-90 on the South Cemetery
• Plots 55, 56 and 57 on the South Cemetery
All of these plots, which are in the more remote and less frequently visited parts of the cemetery
receive one cut a year in either July or August, which also tends to be the best time for controlling
Bracken, an invasive species which is prevalent on most of these plots.
Bracken tends to smother more ecologically important species in these areas as well as making
access to graves difficult, so the aim over time is to reduce its presence in these parts of the
Cemetery and to increase the cover of more ecologically valuable species such as Heather.
Bracken does, however, also provide an important habitat for reptiles and for deer on the site so
it is important to some retain areas, particularly in and adjacent to wooded parts of the site.
Areas cut twice a year.
These areas include
• Plots 100, 103, 105, 119 and plots 123 to 126 on the North Cemetery
• Wooded areas of the Glades of Remembrance on the South Cemetery including North Walk and
areas adjacent to Birch Glade and Pine Glade
• Plots 12 to 54 on the South Cemetery; this includes plots alongside St George’s and St Chad’s
Avenue (The Ring) and St Philip’s Avenue.
Plots 19 to 47 on the South Cemetery include some of the most important areas ecologically.
They contain a rich diversity of heathland and acid grassland species which also support
important insect species. Of particular note is Devil’s Bit Scabious which flowers from late spring
until the autumn and is a valuable source of nectar for a variety of increasingly rare bee species.
Orchids are also found on a number of these plots including the rare Green Winged orchid as well
as the Heath Spotted Orchid and Bee Orchid.
In order to conserve these valuable plant species and their associated fauna, cutting of these
plots takes place prior to the appearance of flower spikes, ie. in late April or early May, dependant
upon weather conditions at the time. A second cut is carried out in September/October once
flowering is over.
Devil’s Bit Scabious at Brookwood Cemetery
Green Winged Orchids at Brookwood Cemetery
An additional roadside verge cut (approximately 1-2 m wide) may also be programmed on these plots in July or August to maintain a managed appearance, this is only for those plots adjacent to tarmac roads.
Timing of cutting of the remainder of the plots which receive two cuts a year is dependant upon the resources available, but the aim is to cut in May and then again in September/October.
An additional roadside verge cut (approximately 1-2 m wide) may also be programmed on these plots in July or August to maintain a managed appearance, this is only for those plots adjacent to tarmac roads. Timing of cutting of the remainder of the plots which receive two cuts a year is dependant upon the resources available, but the aim is to cut in May and then again in September/October.
Areas cut three times a year
These areas include
Plots 118,128,130,131 and plots M1-M4 on the North Cemetery adjacent to Pine Avenue
Plots 2-11 adjacent to St Cyprian’s Avenue and plots 76 and 85 adjacent to St Andrew’s Avenue on the South Cemetery
Plots 42 and 43 (part of Woking Ground) on the South Cemetery
Verges along St Marks Avenue, The Woodland Burial Area and Brookwood Hospital Plot on the South Cemetery.
All of these plots are in prominent locations or are within some of the most visited parts of the Cemetery with burials still taking place. The aim is to cut these plots in Spring, early Summer and then early in the Autumn. Monitoring of growth of Devil’s Bit Scabious on plots 2-11 is carried out to ensure the summer cut is carried out early enough to avoid the flowering period.
Ornamental Lawns
Ornamental lawns within the cemetery can be found around Glades House, around the pond, at the main entrances, community mausoleums and plot 121 near Brookwood Railway Station. In order to maintain a high quality appearance these lawns are cut fortnightly during the growing season.
Meadow Areas
There are a number of open meadows within the Cemetery which are classified as neutral
grassland and which form an important part of the overall diversity of the site. These are cut once or twice a year; in early Spring and Autumn in order to maintain this diversity.