Over recent history, the ride edge in Sulehay Forest has become overgrown, either by thicket in the form of blackthorn/elder/bramble etc, or by trees. In this situation, the loss of sunlight at ground level limits the opportunities for plant regeneration, and as a consequence, insects and birds cease to visit the area.

In order to reverse this trend, the Wildlife Trust is undertaking some clearance work to open up the ride edges. This is being carried out in sections on both sides of the ride, these sections (or scallops) being cleared in rotation (grassland annually or every two years; coppiced areas every four or eight years). The expected increase in plant and insect diversity in these scallops will be monitored, as well as damage caused by grazing.

The following three maps show the planned scalloped areas, together with the intended clearing method for each area. The initial clearing work was carried out over the winter seasons of 2001/2, 2002/3, 2003/4 and 2004/5.




Click clearing schedule to see the planned scallop clearing cycle through to 2012/13.

The first stage was started in 2002/3 by removing some of the smaller trees and saplings in an area to the north of the infested area. Although some larger trees remain in the area, the increased light levels was immediately noticeable.

It is planned to continue to keep this area clear of new sycamore growth, and to monitor the re-generation effect on other species. Depending on the results of that trial, further sycamore clearance will be considered.

In the meantime, any spread of sycamore into other areas will be resticted by removing saplings.

The following map indicates the coverage as mapped in autumn 2002.

When aquired by the Trust, East Field was heavily infected. In the autumn of 2001, and throughout 2002, the Trust used volunteer manual methods to lift and remove individual plants. In late 2002, the grass was cut and baled. These bales are to be removed and allowed to compost.
In 2003, an area to the northwest of East Field was cleared of ragwort by hand, and the remainder of the field was cleared of ragwort using a strimmer.
In 2004, the whole of East Field was remarkably clear of ragwort. The reason is not yet fully understood, since some other areas of the reserve were also significantly improved, while other areas were not.

For the future, and depending on the seriousness of the problem, alternative control methods are under consideration. Once the infestation has been reduced to manageable levels, it is expected that control can revert to manual lifting methods.

The East Field hedge along Wansford Road has been repaired with dead hedging using some of the felled sycamore. To improve walker's visibility of traffic along this road, it is intended to keep the hedge low.

During 2002, the remains of the dry stone wall running between East Field and the adjacent cultivated field has been largely re-built. The same wall continues around the field edge and forest edge, and by January 2004, had been re-built over a length of some 150 metres.

Most of this work is being undertaken by the reserve's volunteer warden (Dr Nick Owens). In April 2004, when this photo was taken, another 20 metres was completed, and by the end of March 2005, the repair work had reached the corner in this photograph. Nick intends to continue with this task - there's another 350 metres to go!

In preparation for the use of sheep grazing to manage the grassland, stock fencing has been erected around East Field, and Stonepit Quarry. Gates and styles have been included to allow public access where necessary.

In 2003, a new gate and fencing was installed at the entrance to the forest from the public footpath from/to Wansford.

Apart from the maintenance of these walls and fences, and the erection of any further safety fencing where it may be considered necessary, there are no plans at present for further fencing work in Sulehay Forest or Stonepit Quarry.

'Mucky Ride' Mucky ride has become overgrown with bramble and overhanging trees causing significant loss of sunlight onto the ride surface. The path became very narrow, and has become almost impassable to pedestrians due to the combined effect of damp conditions and horse riding. As a consequence, pedestrians tend to divert into the forest, creating a new path which eventually is also the route taken by horse riders.
In 2001/2, the southern end of the ride was cleared of bramble and thicket, and in 2004/5, the northern end was cleared of overhanging trees and much of the bramble. 2005/6 saw the remaining centre section cleared.
It is planned that the cleared areas will continue to be cleared annually to halt the bramble spread, and to encourage the development of grassland. It is also anticipated that some further tree and scrub clearance will be necessary in future to keep the forest back to the old ditches on each side of the ride.