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Forest Focus

Forest Focus is our free quarterly newsletter. It's full of the latest stories, features, news and events in Epping Forest.

You can now read Forest Focus online for free on Issuu

• Autumn 2018
• Summer 2018
• Spring 2018
• Winter 2017

You can also pick up a printed copy at one of our visitor centres.

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Sign up for our Forest Focus e-newsletter to receive Forest Focus by email each season.

Oak Processionary Moth

Oak Processionary Moth has been identified as having potential to be found within Epping Forest, and the species' caterpillars represent a hazard to visitors as their hairs cause severe rashes.

These caterpillars are most active in spring and summer and are found almost exclusively in oak trees. They are best recognised by their long hairs, tendency to move together in nose-to-tail processions, and the trails of white webbing they leave in trees.

It is important for the public, and their pets, not to touch or approach any nests or caterpillars and, if found, to alert Forest staff on 020 8532 1010,and to then alert the Forestry Commission.

For more information on Oak Processionary Moth, please visit our Oak Processionary Moth page.

Maintenance at the Temple

Following a ceiling collapse, the building has been closed to public and staff for safety reasons; and we regret that the Temple will remain closed until the end of August.

Major works are required to remove and replace the lower floor ceilings and, as the building is Grade 2 listed, we have opted to use traditional methods and lime plaster. This has involved repairs taking longer to plan and undertake.

We apologise for the inconvenience and invite you to visit our other visitor centres in the meantime. This page will be updated when we have confirmation of when the building can re-open to the public.

Transport for London works at Bury Road

Thank you for your patience whilst a TfL compound is situated at the Bury Road overflow car park. The compound will be in place until early Spring. This will allow TfL to carry out essential improvements to the train line from Chingford to Liverpool Street, bringing benefits to the local area and for visitors to Epping Forest.

Forest works and maintenance

You may want to plan your visit to Epping Forest around any maintenance work we're conducting. Typical tasks include clearing, grass cutting and bridleway or path maintenance.

Week commencing Monday 13 August

• Forest wide: tree safety work, highway verge cutting, grass cutting, path cutting and Oak Processionary Moth nest removal
• Alexandra Lake car park: dragon's teeth replacement
• Bury Wood: woodpasture restoration
• Capel Road: hedge cutting
• Claypit Hill car park: closed until further notice
• Highams Park: entrance work
• High Beach: log placement
• High Beach Visitor Centre: herbicide treatment
• Lower Roding: river defense survey
• Queens Green: bollard installation
• Railway Field: closed to public access
• Rushey Plain: woodpasture restoration
• The Temple: closed for maintenance until further notice
• Theydon Bois: log placement
• Trueloves: gate repairs
• Walthamstow Forest: woodpasture restoration
• Wanstead Flats: pennywort control works
• The Warren: herbicide treatment
• Whipps Cross: log placement

Upcoming volunteer tasks

• Tuesday 14 August: bracken pulling at Jacks Hill Bog with the Epping Forest Conservation Volunteers

Note: Some other works may be reactive in nature, and not scheduled. We apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause. For further information, please contact us.

Cattle grazing

Our cows are back on the Forest to graze! Find out where on our cattle grazing page.