Invasive Species and Disease

Invasive species are likely to have a detrimental impact on a wood. As their name suggests, they can quickly spread and outcompete more delicate native plants or cause damage through browsing.

Invasive species can be either native or non-native to the UK. Examples of native species that can sometimes become invasive in woods include bracken and holly. These species have value as part of the woodland habitat, however managing them can be important in helping to prevent their over-dominance and ensure a balance with other woodland species.

Non-native invasive species (INNS) are plants or animals that are not native to the UK. Plants such as Rhododendron ponticum, and a number of others, have encroached into woods from gardens, or been intentionally planted in woods and then spread, and have no value to native woodland wildlife. They are highly invasive, outcompeting native plants and swamping the wood. Animals such as grey squirrels cause damage to trees, inhibiting their growth, while browsing pressure from deer, including some non-native species, is increasing.

The sections below provide more information on managing invasive species, or links to further information and official guidance from Government sites. Disease is also an increasing problem for certain native tree species. It is not something that the toolkit deals with directly, but we have provided links to Government advice.

Control of invasive vegetation

Method/Notes		Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for
Manage invasive vegetation where there is evidence of encroachment compromising ground flora, tree and shrub regeneration or features for priority species e.g. open, sub-canopy structure. Eradicate and prevent regeneration of invasive non-native species (INNS), e.g. Rhododendron ponticum This guide by the Woodland Trust contains useful information on INNS: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2013/03/wood-wise-invasive-species/	image: Forestry Commission	Removal of INNS reduces competition allowing native plants to flourish.

Method/Notes

Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for

Manage invasive vegetation where there is evidence of encroachment compromising ground flora, tree and shrub regeneration or features for priority species e.g. open, sub-canopy structure.
Eradicate and prevent regeneration of invasive non-native species (INNS), e.g. Rhododendron ponticum

This guide by the Woodland Trust contains useful information on INNS: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2013/03/wood-wise-invasive-species/

image: Forestry Commission

Removal of INNS reduces competition allowing native plants to flourish.

Bracken management

Method/Notes		Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for
Maintain bracken at sub-dominance to a) provide warm micro-climate, b) nest cover, c) enable floristic diversity. Management required to prevent over-dominance. Possible methods include: Mow annually (or alternate years) depending on density - do at full-frond stage in late summer Spray with approved herbicide e.g. every 5-10 years to reduce dominance Roll when fronds at crozier stage and repeat as necessary but beware of nesting birds Crush with bespoke bracken bruiser In some cases, grazing by pigs has been used to control bracken	image: Forestry Commission	Bracken can become very dominant and suppress other species, so can require management. However it can also provide warmth and dappled shade for some plants and is important for some butterfly and bird populations. Depth of bracken litter layer is critical for some species (particularly butterflies and their food plants). All ground nesting birds are vulnerable to mowing, rolling and crushing in the nesting season. Mowing after mid-August should be acceptable but carry out a walk-through survey first, particularly close to edge. Reptiles also at potentially at risk.

Method/Notes

Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for

Maintain bracken at sub-dominance to a) provide warm micro-climate, b) nest cover, c) enable floristic diversity. Management required to prevent over-dominance. Possible methods include:

Mow annually (or alternate years) depending on density - do at full-frond stage in late summer
Spray with approved herbicide e.g. every 5-10 years to reduce dominance
Roll when fronds at crozier stage and repeat as necessary but beware of nesting birds
Crush with bespoke bracken bruiser
In some cases, grazing by pigs has been used to control bracken

image: Forestry Commission

Bracken can become very dominant and suppress other species, so can require management. However it can also provide warmth and dappled shade for some plants and is important for some butterfly and bird populations. Depth of bracken litter layer is critical for some species (particularly butterflies and their food plants).

All ground nesting birds are vulnerable to mowing, rolling and crushing in the nesting season. Mowing after mid-August should be acceptable but carry out a walk-through survey first, particularly close to edge. Reptiles also at potentially at risk.

Deer management

Method/Notes		Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for
Either by fencing or by lethal control as appropriate to the wood/locality To ensure regeneration of tree saplings/understorey/coppice To release field layer from over-grazing To ensure dense thicket	image: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)	Deer populations have increased in many areas in recent decades suppressing replacement trees and coppice re-growth. Some species are particularly vulnerable to deer damage. However where grazing is a management requirement, deer can provide this where livestock grazing is not feasible. Where increasing deer populations are being controlled and reduced, the need to replace the positive browsing impact with restored stock grazing in abandoned pasture woodlands should be evaluated. Further information: The Deer Initiative Scottish Natural Heritage

Method/Notes

Benefits for biodiversity and issues to watch out for

Either by fencing or by lethal control as appropriate to the wood/locality

To ensure regeneration of tree saplings/understorey/coppice
To release field layer from over-grazing
To ensure dense thicket

image: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Deer populations have increased in many areas in recent decades suppressing replacement trees and coppice re-growth. Some species are particularly vulnerable to deer damage. However where grazing is a management requirement, deer can provide this where livestock grazing is not feasible.

Where increasing deer populations are being controlled and reduced, the need to replace the positive browsing impact with restored stock grazing in abandoned pasture woodlands should be evaluated.

Further information:

Grey squirrels

Grey squirrels - This site does not include specific advice on grey squirrels, please refer to:
www.forestry.gov.uk/squirrel-damage

Diseases

Diseases - This site does not include specific advice on tree diseases, please refer to: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tree-pests-and-diseases.

You can also access information and report tree diseases at Observatree: www.observatree.org.uk.