and striding over the landscapers and foresters of the nineteenth and mid-
twentieth century who have lavished foreign species on much of semi-natural
Britain. His views prevailed.
However, he still sees oaks coming up in thickets on the edge of plains and
highways as good replacement trees, in spite of the loss of open ground. In the
past, regeneration seems always to have taken care of itself (Rackham, this
volume), in spite of grazing (cf. Woodman's Glade today). Current policy is to
foster reproduction by felling and creating gaps in the canopy.
The policy of thinning (p. 162)
The Conservators felt compelled to thin to achieve the supposed natural
aspect. They could have continued pollarding and it was revived on a small scale
25-30 years ago (p. 23). Buxton has pollards as "but strange, fantastic vegetable
abortions" (p. 163) and over the years a vast number have been removed, in
spite of the requirement to protect them. The consequences of this momentous
change in management are now beginning to show and the natural aspect is as
elusive as ever.
Drainage
Buxton said (p. 164) about drainage in the Forest: "In this case I am in-
clined to give Punch's advice to those about to marry". "No doubt to a certain
extent it is necessary to lay dry those tracks which are much frequented: but I
think that labour employed in draining swampy hollows is worse than wasted,
because, in their natural state, they have a distinct flora, and insect life, of their
own." Did his views prevail on the Committee? Why has the Almshouse Plain
marsh been traversed by numerous drainage grips? Surely not to preserve the
wildlife or the natural aspect or variety. It is now another grove of oaks, and the
upcast of the drains is now mostly a bed of willow-herb, nettle and bramble.
The wet places of the Forest hold the greatest variety of herbs and in-
vertebrates. They are few, small and vulnerable to irreversible damage to their
microhabitats and their species. Their survival and sympathetic management
should be high among the Conservators' priorities.
Demands on the Forest
The Conservators have a duty to "keep Epping Forest uninclosed" . . .
"as an open space for the recreation and enjoyment of the public" . . . and
"the public shall have the right to use" it. (Epping Forest Act S. 7 and S. 9;.
Recreation and education
Epping Forest is highly prized for many qualities, and multitudes of
visitors derive enormous pleasure from walking or driving through it, This was
fine for people and Forest while public transport was the principal means of
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