BRACKEN MANAGEMENT
Bracken's invasive tendencies have made it a cause of concern for moorland and other land managers across the UK for many years and The Heather Trust wishes to see the development of innovative, practical and effective methods for its control.
Whilst we recognise that this plant can have benefits for some species of invertebrates and birds, left unchecked, bracken will quickly shade out and destroy ecologically valuable habitats, restricting the natural regeneration of other moorland plants and providing a breeding ground for ticks which are a threat to human and other species’ health.
Bracken has little or no commercial value, is known to have carcinogenic elements and is a dominant species, smothering competing vegetation and growing rapidly. The Heather Trust believes that a bracken management programme is an important component of a moorland management plan.
There are many forms of bracken control from hand pulling, crushing and mechanised cutting to the aerial application of chemical control agents (Asulam) – however, the use of such has been banned in the UK since the end of 2023.
With Asulam currently removed from the bracken management toolbox, other effective methods of controlling this prevalent plant are crucial if we are to avoid some upland landscapes becoming a monoculture. Spraying with glyphosate is quick and effective (if followed up by subsequent treatments) but this chemical is a universal herbicide and application must be very targeted by a well-calibrated weed wiper to avoid contact with non-target species.
At this critical point in managing a dominant species, the Trust continues to push for better coordination between the many stakeholders with an interest in the control of bracken. The Trust remains actively involved in the Bracken Control Group (which it helped form in 2013) and supports it in finding an acceptable and balanced solutions to this problem which affects both human health and biodiversity. We also continue to host events and site visits to educate and share knowledge on the subject.
