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'Assarting' is the act of clearing forested lands for use in agriculture or other purposes. In English law, it was illegal to assart any part of a Royal forest. This was the greatest trespass that could be committed in a forest, being more than a waste. For whereas waste of the forest involves felling trees and other shrubbery, this vegetation can grow again; assarting involves completely rooting up all trees — the total extirpation of the forested area.
The term ''assart'' was also used for a parcel of land assarted. 'Assart rents' were those paid to the British Crown for the forest lands assarted.
Many French places called Les Essarts refer to that practise.

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