Composting Bracken in Shropshire

The Long Mynd in Shropshire is a fabulous and famous hill in the south Shropshire hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The entire site, is owned by the National Trust and is maintained for public access, common grazing and natural beauty.

One of the environmental problems faced at this site is that of Bracken encroachment: this is a problem throughout the uplands of Britain, but particularly so on the Long Mynd where 60% of all the hill is now affected. The problem is being tackled in two ways:

1. where bracken grows amongst acid grassland e.g. the northern and eastern side of the hill, the bracken is mown on a regular basis, this does not eliminate the problem but reduces its vigour and prevents further encroachment.
2. where it is growing amongst heather it is not possible to mow so a chemical treatment is being used (applied in larger areas by helicopter) which does not affect any other vegetation or wildlife.

Each year the Trust removes nearly 17 hectares of bracken! Alot of this is then managed through composting.  Thats one big compost heap! You can buy the compost they make from this operation from the Shropshire Wildlife Trust shop on Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury.