Bracken - love it or hate it?

Bracken is a very ancient plant with fossil records showing it existed 55 million years ago. Although beautiful particularly this time of year as it changes colour, bracken poses a significant problem as it rapidly spreads through spores and underground rhizomes. It overshadows other plants and can damage archaeological sites beneath the soil. It becomes a major problem as it encroaches on heathlands, altering habitats and outcompeting rare and specialised plants. The New Forest's unique landscapes are due to the poor acidic soil, but bracken's deep roots can access nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, enriching the soil and changing the habitat.

Photo by Roz Tucker

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