Broadleaved woodland is the end point of the natural succession process. Open grasslands can become covered in scrub such as hawthorn, bramble and hazel, which is slowly succeeded by slower growing tree species such as oak.

The varied structure of many broadleaved woodlands has been lost for a number of reasons. Lack of management has reduced the structural diversity of woodlands resulting in high forest habitat, and native broadleaved woodlands have been re-planted with faster growing conifers for a quicker crop.

The Mendip Hills are a particularly open landscape with very few broadleaved woodlands on the plateau. The scarps are more wooded with several National Nature Reserves such as Ebbor Gorge and Rodney Stoke Woods. Woodlands have also grown in crevices on the plateau such as Long Wood which is part of the Cheddar Gorge Complex of ravines.

Management should always concentrate on creating a mosaic of habitats, leaving some areas to mature into high forest and managing other areas in rotation: 

• Removed conifers should be replaced with local broadleaved species such as oak and ash with an understorey of hazel, holly and hawthorn. Avoid non-native species, particularly invasive species such as rhododendron which can take over woodlands. Areas left unplanted will allow the understorey to re-generate if there are some native seeds surviving in the soil. Stagger conifer removal, as exposing all of the ground may lead to soil burn. A felling license may be required from the Forestry Commission, and their advice should be sought.
• Wide rides and glades will encourage wildlife into woodlands, particularly butterflies like the pearl bordered fritillary which prefer damp woodlands and wet meadows. This species has declined as woodland has been neglected and rides have become overgrown. Creating bays along woodland tracks and irregular edges to woodlands lets more light into the forest, allowing wild flowers and shrubs to flourish. Insects will thrive in these areas and are eaten by a large variety of birds and bats.
• Coppice rotations are an old method of harvesting and regenerating woodland. Coppicing - cutting tree trunks at their base - encourages new growth in future years and can enable a single tree to live for hundreds of years. Coppicing is done in rotation where different areas of the woodland are cut each year and then left to re-grow. The length of time for re-growth depends on the species, but it may take up to seven years for a hazel to produce nuts after it has been coppiced. Enough time should be left between coppice stands so that there are always trees producing berries or nuts which are eaten by many woodland animals.
• Fencing livestock out of woodland is very important to minimise the impact of grazing on the woodland understorey and disturbance to woodland flowers like yellow archangel, bluebell and wild garlic.
• Standing dead wood is an important and rare habitat for insects, birds and fungi. Dead trees should be left standing unless they form an immediate threat like overhanging a path.
• Deer are a natural part of our woodlands, but high numbers can cause serious damage to tree regeneration. They will also limit the number of woodland flowers. This should be taken into account before any woodland work is carried out and either deer fencing or control may be required.