Pine species are invasive to heathlands, with Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) suggested as the second stage of succession away from pure lowland heath, following invasion by Ulex. Left unmanaged these trees have the ability to shade-out heathland-native, ericaceous dwarf shrub communities, resulting in patches of bare ground that is open for invasion by further alien species such as Rhododendron sp.

 

Mechanical clearance techniques are often employed to reduce cover of Pinus sp. On the Waldridge site there are comparatively few individuals, on many occasions just single specimens limited to habitat margins which do not pose a significant threat to the surrounding heath flora.

 

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