Epping Forest news

Epping Forest is proud to be represented in The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.

Low water levels in Wanstead Park

The City of London own four lakes at Wanstead Park. These lakes, along with one owned by our neighbours, comprise a five lake cascade that formed the centrepiece in one of England’s most significant gardens. Low water levels at two of the lakes at Wanstead Park have been a concern for some months.

Please see our water levels update for a full statement on the current situation.

Tree diseases present in Epping Forest

Phytophthora ramorum

Regular tree health surveys have identified ramorum disease at its very earliest stage in rhododendron bushes in Epping Forest. The outbreak has been found at the Warren plantation in the north of the Forest near to Waltham Abbey. For more information, please see our ramorum disease page.

Ash dieback

This new disease, caused by a fungus, which was confirmed in the UK in February 2012. We have been actively monitoring groups of ash since and, finally, in June 2016, a sufficient suite of symptoms was observed in at least two areas to confirm the presence of ash dieback. This will have implications for the Forest for years to come. To find out more, please visit our ash dieback page.

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

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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 22 May

• Forest wide - tree safety work
• Alexandra Lake - car park works
• Barn Hoppitt - woodpasture restoration
• Catacombs Corner - water works
• Gifford Wood - grass cutting at amenity paths
• Grimston's Oak - woodpasture restoration
• Harrow Road car park - overflow parking for Buxton School
• Wanstead Park - seat installations
• Woodford Green - construction compound at Johnston Road
• Woodgreen Road - water works

Upcoming volunteer tasks

• Thursday 25 May, Paul's Nursery (Epping Forest Centenary Trust)
• Friday 26 May, Paul's Nursery (Epping Forest Centenary Trust)
• Sunday 28 May, Rushey Plain (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 grazing on the Forest again! See our cattle grazing page to find out where they are this week.

Funding for school visits

If you're a teacher and are looking to plan a school visit you may be able to apply to the City of London School Visits Fund for a grant of up to £300 to help with costs for visiting selected green spaces. Learn more at the School Visits Fund website. 

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 Heath staff on 020 7332 3322and to then alert the Forestry Commission.

Further information

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