Overgrown gorse can quickly dominate landscapes, damage biodiversity, and increase the risk of wildfire. PBA Solutions provides expert gorse removal and long-term gorse control methods tailored for landowners, developers, and public bodies across the UK. From preventative management to full clearance and soil restoration, we offer sustainable, effective gorse management for lasting results.
PBA Solutions clearing gorse using a remote-controlled flail mower
Why Gorse Control is Needed
Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a fast-growing UK-native shrub that quickly spreads across unmanaged land. Without intervention, it forms dense thickets, crowds out smaller and slower-growing species, alters soil conditions, and can reduce land value and usability.
In sensitive locations like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), it can degrade rare habitats by outcompeting more valuable species. In agricultural and commercial settings, it can reduce productivity by restricting access and encroaching on valuable grazing or working land. Gorse also poses a significant fire hazard due to its high oil content and dense, dry growth, which can act as a natural fuel source, increasing the risk of wildfires.
Gorse management is not just about removing gorse that’s visible – it’s about addressing the root causes of uncontrolled spread and preventing future problems through strategic medium-term and long-term control. Not only can this approach benefit sensitive habitats and valued amenity spaces, it can also play a key role in cost reduction for landowners.
Close up of the twisted woody stems of a gorse plant ©tintac
Our Gorse Control and Removal Services
We offer a comprehensive approach to gorse bush removal, drawing on our experience working in protected landscapes, public sector land and private estates. Our gorse control services include:
- Preventative gorse management
regular cutting and habitat management to suppress gorse regrowth. - Chemical gorse control
selective, targeted use of herbicides where appropriate to prevent regrowth. - Technology-driven gorse control
remote-controlled flail mowers and drones for efficient clearance and site assessment. - Gorse monitoring plans
ongoing surveys and interventions to prevent re-infestation.
Mechanical Gorse Removal
Flailing, brush cutting & mulching: Includes tractor-mounted, tracked, remote-controlled, and collector-equipped machines, ideal for dense or tall gorse stands.
Root extraction: Using low ground-pressure equipment for full removal of invasive root systems.
Specialist machinery for challenging terrain: Including low centre of gravity units for banks and slopes.
Chemical Gorse Control
Targeted herbicide treatment: selective application on stumps or regrowth to prevent spread.
Environmental compliance: our chemical treatments follow current regulations and best practices for sensitive land.
Site Restoration & Post-Clearance Management
Soil pH adjustment: gorse thrives in acidic soils. We treat soil where needed to limit regrowth and restore balance.
Seeding and replanting: we can help to rebuild biodiversity with native grasses, annual and perennial flowering plants to reclaim cleared areas.
Ongoing management plans: for lasting results, we provide tailored interventions and regular site monitoring.
Gorse Clearance for Conservation & Land Management
We help our clients with assent and permits from organisations like Natural England and the Environment Agency, seeking the balance between gorse removal objectives and conservation priorities.
On ecologically sensitive sites, our role has enabled our clients to protect valuable species and habitats, create firebreaks to reduce wildfire risk, while enhancing access to enable the public to use and enjoy land that had become inaccessible.
Fing out how we applied these methods in our recent Gorse Clearance Case Study at Sinah Common SSSI.
Why Choose PBA for Gorse Control & Removal?
As a trusted name in environmental and vegetation management, PBA Solutions brings a combination of practical field expertise and ecological awareness to every site. We’re experienced in working with local authorities, commercial developers, landowners, and conservation organisations across the UK.
Our clients value our ability to:
- Specialist gorse removal contractors: we work across the south with commercial, public, and conservation partners.
- Sustainable gorse management: our approach balances environmental protection with land usability.
- Proven track record: from invasive plant control to root barrier installations, we deliver results that last.
- Ecological & technological expertise: equipped with low-impact, specialist machinery, we deliver gorse control that’s safe, legal, and effective.
Aerial view of PBA Solutions gorse clearance project
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Gorse Management
What is the best method for controlling gorse?
The most effective approach combines mechanical clearance with soil and regrowth management. Prevention and early intervention are the most cost-effective, with the added benefits of stabilised site function and knowledgeable technicians keeping an eye on the overall health of the site.
Can you remove gorse permanently?
Yes, but it requires a long-term strategy. Viable gorse seeds can remain in the soil for decades. With regular cutting, soil restoration, and monitoring, it is possible to reduce reestablishment to very manageable levels.
How can I stop gorse from spreading?
Target regrowth quickly, remove roots where possible, and replant with more desirable species. Managing soil conditions is also key.
What are the effects after gorse is removed?
Fire risk is reduced, biodiversity improves, and the land becomes more accessible and usable, especially important for public or grazing areas.
Technology-Driven Gorse Clearance
Clearing dense stands of gorse often requires more than manual effort. We use drone surveys to assess large or difficult-to-access areas and identify priority zones for clearance.
For steep or overgrown terrain, our remote-controlled flail mowers with tracked drive systems provide safe and efficient removal. These tools allow us to manage gorse quickly and effectively, even in challenging conditions.
Case Study: Gorse Clearance at Hayling Island
Case Studies | 08th May 2025
Get Expert Help with Gorse
If gorse is taking over your land, creating access issues, or posing a fire risk, we can help. PBA Solutions has decades of experience in clearing and controlling gorse on estates, farmland, public land, and development sites.
We offer targeted site assessments, removal plans, and long-term control strategies designed to stop gorse from returning. Our team works across the UK, delivering safe, effective solutions based on land type, access, and scale.
Call us on 0203 174 2187 or 01202 816134 o speak to our team — or get in touch online for expert advice and a no-obligation quote.
Lead image © tintac
All other images © PBA Solutions unless otherwise noted