The Essex Naturalist 147
in Hales & Shadwell Woods, to bluebells in Norsey Wood and wood
anemones in Stour &. Copperas Woods, all of which respond well to
rotational clearance under the coppice cycle. Sadly, widespread cessation of
coppicing earlier this century has led to losses of several key species,
including the large woodland butterflies. There are, however, welcome signs
of a resurgence, both naturally with white admirals increasing in Stour Wood
and spreading to the Roman River SSSI, and given a helping hand, with the
reintroduction of heath fritillaries, first to Thrift Wood, and subsequently
elsewhere in the south of the county. With a proactive approach to SSSI
management and species translocation, it certainly could be possible to
restore some of the other losses.
A second typical management practice is that of pollarding, often combined
with grazing or browsing, as in the wood pastures of Hatfield Forest, Epping
Forest and elsewhere. Such management produces a very old trunk, often with
considerable amounts of dead wood, which is thus a haven for special wildlife,
from epiphytic lichens to wood-boring beetles.
Human influences can also be seen in the form of modifications to the tree
species mix. Sweet chestnut has been widely planted, as have various
softwoods. As these alien species are generally detrimental to the natural
aspect of a wood, our SSSIs rarely contain large stands of them, unless there is
another overriding consideration. One feature of the special interest of Stour
Wood, for example, is the fact that it is one of the earliest recorded sweet
chestnut plantations, and Chalkney Wood is of note as a site undergoing
comprehensive deconiferisation. It is therefore a very important model to
guide future forestry policies and practices.
Heathland
To judge from the numerous place names referring to heathland, the Essex
resource would seem to be much diminished in comparison with historical times.
Indeed, until relatively recently, it was generally stated that the only heathland
of note in the county was Tiptree Heath, and that was in a poor state due to the
encroachment of birch, gorse and bracken. Fortunately, the past decade has seen
a reawakening of interest in lowland heaths, and recognition of the
international significance of this habitat and its special plants and animals.
Whilst much of the renewed interest has focused on the more major heathland
regions, Essex has played its part. Thundersley Great Common, once completely
scrubbed over, was cleared but then suffered from the reverse problem of over-
management, in true municipal parkland fashion; following its notification as
SSSI, a management plan was drawn up and its implementation is leading to
considerable improvements in the heathland flora of the site. Similarly,
neglected heathland areas of Epping Forest and the Danbury Ridge (Danbury
Common, Blake's Wood & Lingwood Common and Woodham Walter