Native scrub such as gorse, blackthorn and hawthorn is a valuable component of many important wildlife habitats. It offers refuge and food for insects and birds and has been part of natural succession in Britain since the last ice age as the browsing and grazing of large herbivores creates a constantly changing mosaic of woodland, scrub and open habitats. On the other hand, the invasive habits of scrub can pose problems when valuable grassland is encroached upon. Consequently, scrub as part of an ecosystem mosaic offers vital shelter for wildlife, but if allowed to dominate, scrub will engulf flower-rich grasslands and create problems for grazing livestock.Rough grassland on the Mendip Hill’s steep slopes and in gullies provides plentiful opportunities for scrub to develop. A decrease in grazing associated with changes in agriculture has meant that in places scrub has invaded previously open grassland habitats. Habitat conservation and farming for wildlife constantly demands a delicate balance between the needs of different habitats and effective scrub-management.

Scrub management should concentrate on creating a mosaic of habitats in order to benefit the greatest range of wildlife by providing:

• A variety of species and structure - many species rely on specific shrubs or particular growth stages. As scrub grows older it may become bushier and not produce as many flowers or fruits. Maintaining a wide range of scrub ages will cater for the maximum diversity of insects and birds. Dead and decaying wood is also important as many insect larvae feast on rotting wood. Other insects feed on abundant hawthorn nectar in the spring and gorse which can flower throughout the year. Willow warblers, blackbirds, yellowhammers and linnets all use scrub for roosting, nesting and feeding.
• Edge habitat - or the ‘interface’ between scrub and grassland provides a diversity of food plants and microclimates. For example, the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly thrives in woodland clearings or edge habitat associated with scattered scrub. Scrub edges can be nurtured and maximised by breaking up blocks of scrub with “mini-rides”. Grazing livestock will widen these as they push through the shrubs. When managing scrub, the edges can be “scalloped” thereby maximising this crucial interface.
• Management techniques - scrub can be managed by hand cutting and burning the brash in situ or using more specialist machinery. Steep slopes associated with rough grassland often necessitate hand cutting and this allows a more targeted approach, where scrub stands can be shaped to maximise edge habitat. Large areas of gorse may need to be tackled with a tractor with a substantial front-mounted flail. Some of these machines produce remarkably fine ‘chipped timber’ which will rot down or blow away quite quickly. Depending on the amount of scrub tackled and machinery used, care should be taken to ensure that impenetrable mulch is not left behind. Grassland regeneration is, after all, the reason for most scrub management.

Blackthorn is an early flowering thorny shrub bearing white flowers between March and May, before its leaves unfurl. The flowers develop into blue-black sloes which are collected to flavour liquors, particularly gin.

Hawthorn is another early flowering thorny shrub bearing white flowers between May and June after the leaves unfurl. The fruits, called haws, ripen to bright red berries in autumn and are a great food source for small mammals and birds. Haws can also be used to produce jams, jellies, juices and alcoholic beverages.

Bramble is a scrambling shrub that grows in woodlands and can form an enveloping mat across grassland. The white flowers present between May and September develop into blackberries in the autumn and are an important food source for mammals and birds.

Western gorse is a spiny bush where the leaves have developed into sharp, short spikes. Western gorse is similar to its sister plant European gorse, but the yellow, coconut smelling flowers are only present between July and September rather than any time during the year. Gorse flowers are edible and can be used in salads, tea and non-grape based ‘wine’.