AS one travels through the forest one cannot fail to notice the spread of the bracken across the forest floor. This year I  also notice that the bluebells were totally submerged by the bracken and could hardly be noticed.

Bracken is a well-known problem on forest and other open ground. Its invasive habits are well recorded; it is difficult to contain or remove. Cutting it down only slows or halts its progress. Many studies have been done and much has been written about the problem. It is not of great use as a product but it can be used as biomass to generate energy or converted into fuel pellets to use in generators.

I remember reading an article in the Review, many years ago, in which it said that in the past the foresters used to harvest the bracken and that this kept it in check. I seem to remember that the article was written by the Forestry Commission.

I do not know what the policies of the Dean forestry authorities are, but it seems to me that harvesting the bracken to use either as biomass or as pellet fuel would have the dual benefit of curbing its invasive habits and generate some income, and there would also be other benefits to the forest fauna and flora.

It seems rather curious to me that we were up in arms at the threat of  "Our Forest" being privatized, but that we seem indifferent to its degradation.

I would be interested to know whether anyone else shares my views and concerns.

– Anna Hurwitz, Coalway.