Woodland and scrub removal takes place at this nature reserve in order to maintain and increase the size of the grassland habitat found here.

This limestone grassland is home to seven species of orchid, as well as cowslips, columbine, small scabious and betony, amongst other unusual plants. The rockrose that grows here supports a colony of the northern brown argus, a butterfly that is in decline and has been identified as a Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.

This habitat is in decline across Europe, partly due to the abandonment of the land and the succession to scrub and woodland. Limestone grassland has thus been identified as the priority habitat at Latterbarrow, with woodland seen as of secondary importance. This area was bare of trees as recently as 1950. Scrub and woodland cover would have fluctuated at this time as livestock numbers varied from year to year. When grazing pressure was reduced in the 1960s, trees and scrub spread until there was little grassland left.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust has increased the area of grassland since Latterbarrow became a nature reserve in 1986, and aims to increase the area further over the next five years. The current area of 1.2 hectares will be increased to at least 1.4 hectares through the removal of tress and scrub. This will take place in strategic areas to reduce shading on existing grassland and to improve grassland corridors between separate open areas. Felling will be followed up by grazing and bramble removal for a number of years before the plots revert to grassland.

The photos below show an area before and after it was cleared of trees and scrub.

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