NEW Forest residents have been warned about the dangers of dumping garden waste in the countryside.

The Forestry Commission is working with the New Forest Non-Native Plants project and other partners to stop the spread of unwelcome flora in the forest as a result of unwanted garden waste.

Illegal fly-tipping activities can cause problems for a number of reasons, not least because some garden plants are poisonous to commoners’ animals grazing in the open forest.

Grass cuttings can also prove fatal as they may cause colic, leading to a slow and painful death.

Garden waste can smother and destroy the underlying native vegetation, which provides important food and nectar for local insects and animals.

Some garden plants – such as Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and New Zealand pygmyweed – are also very invasive and can take root in the open forest, spreading rapidly and out-competing the native vegetation.

Graham Wilson, estates keeper at the Forestry Commission, said: “Due to the nature of garden waste, many people don't see their actions as fly-tipping in the same way as dumping household waste, like plastics or chemicals.

“However, their actions can have a serious impact on the delicate balance and overall health of local wildlife.

“Plus of course it is unsightly, it could attract other fly-tippers and really shouldn't have to be cleared away at the tax-payers' expense.”

Catherine Chatters, New Forest non-native plants officer, added: “We are urging residents to consider a range of environmentally-friendly alternatives to dumping their garden waste.

“They can take garden waste to their nearest household waste recycling centre or their council's garden waste collection service is another option.

“Best of all, residents can compost the waste within their own gardens.”

Anybody witnessing garden waste being dumped should contact the Forestry Commission on 02380 283141.