Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is a widespread invasive of lowland heathland and so frequent management is implemented to maintain it at constrained levels. Several techniques are use to limit expansion.

 

Bracken cutting

 

This involves frond cutting during early Summer to induce the leeching of nutrient stores from the wounded areas of plants to reduce the overall health of stand and reduce the likelihood of uncontrolled growth in future months. This is not a permanent method as it does not eradicate the present Bracken and so often requires repeated treatments throughout the year.

 

Bracken bruising

 

The bruising methods employs the use of horse or motor-drawn devices which inflict ‘bruises’ on the Bracken plant stems, wounds which attract a diversion of sap and nutrients which is then lost to the environment. This is more effective and has greater longevity than cutting, as the current plants shoots remain (they are not simply replaced by new growth) and continue to leech plant resources from rhizome (root) stores. Seasonal repetition increases the extent to which bracken expansion occurs.

 

It is also important to remove the little of dead P. aquilinum to allow re-growth of heathland species.

 

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