Most ferns need high humidity and dim lighting to grow , opening the canopy will reduce humidity and promote competition from other plant species from the increased light . Ferns also have no resistance to a Bush Hog , be cruel to them . Down as many "trash" trees as you can and replace them with mast species like chestnut , hazelnut , beech , and assorted fruit trees . Plan for open spots so that you'll have lots of edges for those new trees to grow on , the open ground can become small food plots .