Fig.C
is threatened, for example, the Marsh Cinquefoil at the Cuckoo Pits, but I believe that the Forest also
needs an area where there is an integrated management policy which re-creates the mosaic of managed
habitats that characterised the Forest up to the late 19th century. In Fig. C I have outlined the proposals
for such an area which would cover initially about 60 acres (approximately 1% of the current Forest
area) and which could be extended as time or manpower permitted. The chosen site would include an
area of pollard trees divided into sections, each of about two acres and cut in rotation every one to
two years. In addition, there would be scattered, managed, pollard trees in nearby open ground. Some
standard trees would be retained (particularly Oak) and left uncut. A non-intervention area should also
be created where management is minimal, but allowing, for example, the removal of dangerous
wind-thrown trees. A shaded dead-wood area should also be created of various tree species for those
invertebrates and fungi that require this habitat. Dead-wood should also be left elsewhere in situ.
Within the site there should also be areas of wet-heath, grass-heath and, if possible, neutral grassland.
Ideally management of these habitats would be by a light grazing regime with cattle (experimentally
with just one or two beasts to the hectare). It would be important that the ground beneath the pollard
trees should be grazed as well. A possible answer to this would be a temporary electric-fenced
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