Tree removal to help heathland flourish at Wickfield Heath
Heathlands, with their sweeping landscapes of low-growing shrubs, vibrant wildflowers, and unique wildlife, are among the most precious and fragile ecosystems in the UK. However, without careful management, these habitats are at risk of disappearing, often overtaken by encroaching woodland. One of the most effective and sometimes misunderstood strategies for preserving heathlands is the removal of trees. At Wickfield Heath in the Shire Brook Valley we removed a number of trees to extend and connect the two areas of heathland.
Heathlands are home to a variety of species that thrive in open, sunny environments. Birds, common lizard and many insects species, such as the small heath butterfly or small skipper, depend on the low-lying vegetation and open spaces that heathlands provide. When trees encroach, they cast shade and alter the soil composition, making it inhospitable for these species. Removing trees ensures that these unique creatures have the environment they need to flourish.
Without intervention, heathlands naturally transition into scrubland and eventually woodland. While woodlands are valuable ecosystems in their own right, the loss of heathlands would mean the disappearance of a habitat that supports species found nowhere else. Tree removal stops this natural succession, preserving the heathland’s character and ecological importance.
The trees that have been selected for heathland management have been carefully planned by our conservation experts who understand the ecological needs of the area. By embracing this practice, we can ensure that these unique landscapes continue to thrive, supporting biodiversity and offering a haven for both wildlife and people.
Planting bilberries
At Wickfield, among the heathland, we planted 250 bilberry plugs. Bilberries like the acid soil of heathland and are a great plant for wildlife. Lots of birds eat the berries as do deer and badgers. The larvae of the green hairstreak butterfly feeds on bilberry and a few moth species feed on it too. The flowers are a good source of food for pollinators. There is even a bilberry bumblebee which we don’t have here yet, but is in the Peak District, so maybe we can tempt it here!
This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund and other partner funding. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. A whole programme of activity across the Valley will create, restore and enhance habitats to support and protect the species living here and encourage new ones to thrive.
Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve 