Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Fern
Bracken: when and how to prune
Pteridium aquilinum
Bracken is best pruned in March, June and August.
| Pruning months | March, June and August |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Bracken: when to prune it?
To keep it in check, in June and August; old fronds possibly in March.
Bracken: how to prune it?
- Cut or mow young fronds at ground level, ideally twice a summer: this exhausts the rhizome.
- Bending or bruising the stalks also works and is used in nature reserves.
- Remove the cuttings; they rot down slowly.
- In March, remove dead fronds where the layer is too thick; elsewhere leave some for insects.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 3 pruning periods a year: March, June and August. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Wear gloves and long sleeves, and preferably cut before the spores ripen.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.