Hatfield Forest's plains contain, as well as grass, a number of trees. Most of these have been 'pollarded', that is to say: cut at a height that is out of reach of grazing animals.

This treatment of trees goes back many centuries, and was used to take regular crops of firewood in areas where domestic beasts grazed. A pollard tree can live a very long time; some of those in the Forest are more than 600 years old. As they age, these trees have a fascinating, rugged beauty, and are home to a special range of insects, fungi and lichens. They are often described as living sculptures.

Pollard trees surrounded by grassland belong to a very ancient type of landscape called 'wood pasture' which was far more common in the Middle Ages than it is today. Where it has been preserved, wood pasture is of great historic interest, offering us a kind of 'window on the past', a chance to feel a little of what life was like hundreds of years ago.

Looking after pollards
The National Trust carries out highly-skilled tree surgery work to prevent the collapse of old pollard trees, and also creates new pollards by cutting the crowns of young trees. It is especially important to have young pollard trees coming along to replace the old ones when they eventually die. Where scrub has grown up, old pollard trees can become choked and shaded, so careful clearance of the growth surrounding them helps them to survive. At the same time young trees can be selected and left for cutting as new or 'maiden' pollards.

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©National Trust
Pollarded hornbeams at Hatfield Forest

Why grassland is important
The areas of grassland in Hatfield Forest are known as the 'plains'. They have existed since Norman times, when they were used by local people to graze a variety of animals, and provided long clear views for hunting deer. Unlike most grassland in this country, the plains are largely 'unimproved' - they have not been fertilised or harrowed to increase yields. Over hundreds of years unimproved grasslands and the special range of plants and animals they contain have become rare. Of course, that doesn't mean they are only attractive to scientists; the flowers in spring and summer are a splendid sight and grassy spaces for walking, riding and picnicking are much appreciated by visitors.

How scrub takes over from grassland
Scrub is the name given to the shrubby plants and trees which arise naturally in grassland. Beginning with little bushes of bramble and blackthorn, for instance, scrub can grow very quickly and take over areas of pasture; the cows won't eat it, so it encroaches over the years.

This may not seem to matter; young scrub is very useful for many wild creatures. Brambles, hawthorn, blackthorn and wild rose produce nectar and pollen for insects, wild fruits in abundance, shelter and nest sites for birds. But as it ages, scrub grows taller, denser and more shady, and will eventually change into woodland. Therefore we have a plan of scrub clearance to restore areas to open parkland.

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Herbs and grasses grow very quickly after an area of scrub has been cut. Sheep are used to graze initially and once cattle begin to graze in spring the grass thickens and spreads, and the area begins to regain its traditional wood pasture appearance. The wood that is cut during scrub clearance does not go to waste. Thick stems and branches will be sold as timber or firewood.

Though the work of scrub clearance continues year after year, the aim of the Trust is not to banish scrub altogether. A patchwork of old and young scrub will always be maintained to provide the shelter and food that is so important for wildlife. All habitats in the Forest have their own special value; the aim of management work is to keep the correct balance between them, which is why we will never run out of work!