Hainault Forest

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Hainault Forest was part of the great Forest of Essex, from the time of the Norman Kings until it was 'disafforested' in 1851, when most of it was destroyed for housing and farming. What remains of it lies on the north-eastern boundary of Greater London on a miniature version of the ridge that forms Epping Forest – a cap of gravelly and sandy soils over London clay. At present part is managed by the London Borough of Redbridge as a country park and the northern section, comprising the ancient pollard woodland, is managed by the Woodland Trust.

The ancient woodland was managed as wood pasture until about 1900. Local commoners had lopping rights to the hornbeam and used to cut above head height to protect the new growth from cattle and other animals browsing on the forest floor. The limbs were cut before they grew above 10cm – the maximum size useable for charcoal burning and firewood in London. This means a cutting cycle of between 18 and 25 years. Pollarding stopped in the early part of this century as the markets for charcoal and firewood declined.

Now the woodland is being managed by the Woodland Trust, who are repollarding some of the old trees and also raising new trees for pollarding. Pollarding rejuvenates trees but after a long gap it is very risky. and better results can be obtained by starting afresh.

In time pollards form massive trees with a swollen head from which extend huge gnarled limbs. The ancient woodland to the east is dominated by hornbeam pollards and oak standards, with holly, bracken and bramble growing beneath them.

Much of the woodland floor is bare because of the dense shade cast by the overgrown pollards, but it has many damp areas and ditches that are greener and more varied, often lined with pendulous sedge. If you look around you will find unusual plants like wood speedwell, hartstongue fern, marsh pennywort and butcher's broom.

In the western part the woodland is very different. It has regenerated on sections that were cleared and is dominated by oak and birch with some aspen, poplar and ash.

In the north-west corner a small area of former heathland – a rare habitat in south Essex – is being restored by removing invading birch and scrub. It still has some ling heather and dwarf gorse which it is hoped will spread.