Woodland flowers

Sir, I disagree with the Forestry Commission that thinning dark woodlands will help to revive bluebells (report, June 29). These and other early woodland flowers thrive in dense deciduous woodland. They put on leaf before the canopy greens up and the dense summer shade suppresses competitor plants.

Here in the Wye Valley the Forestry Commission recently carried out extensive thinning of oak and beech woods. Along with mature trees, young trees were also removed “in the interests of safety”. Within a few years bramble and bracken dominated the forest floor, swamping bluebells and other woodland flowers.

Wildlife benefits best from recent clearings. That means thinning or clearing in a regular rotation. Coppicing is best. I doubt this will happen under the new proposals, which will more likely lead to blanket thinning.