TREES
Given the rocks and soils on which Gibbing Greave and Herringthorpe Woods are based, it is likely that Oak and Birch were once the dominant trees throughout the majority of the two woodlands. However, as a result of the planting of non-native species, only a small part of Gibbing Greave is now dominated by Oak with other areas now being dominated by plantations of Beech and to a lesser extent of Sweet Chestnut.

Along the streams that flow through the site, the composition of the woodlands changes. There is a greater variety of trees, including Sycamore, Sessile Oak, Alder, Sweet Chestnut, Wych Elm, English Elm and Ash. Particularly associated with these streamsides are large, mature trees of Hybrid Black Poplar, many of which are now in poor condition.

The boardwalk through the area of wet Alder woodland in Herringthorpe Wood

At the northern tip of Herringthorpe Wood one of these streamside areas merges into a strip of wet woodland dominated by Alder.

SHRUBS
Over much of the site, and in particular in the plantation areas, shrubs are often conspicuous by their absence with only occasional Holly, Elder and Hawthorn being found.

The best developed area of shrubs on the site is to be found in the semi-natural Oak woodland on the northern side of Gibbing Greave where Holly and Bramble are the dominant shrub species. The woodland edges of Gibbing Greave, for example that along Brecks Lane, have a particularly rich shrub layer, including Elder, Dog Rose, Blackthorn, Crab Apple, Field Maple and Hawthorn.

Along streamsides, the shrub layer is open, with Elder, Hawthorn, Hazel, Dog Rose, Guelder Rose. Elder, Hawthorn, and Hazel also form an open understorey in the area of Alder woodland in the north of Herringthorpe Wood.

WOODLAND GROUND FLORA
Between them, the two woods support over 100 species of flowering plant, some of which are relatively scarce in the Rotherham area. Sixteen ancient woodland indicator species have been recorded, including Ramsons, Wood Anemone, Bluebell, Yellow Archangel, Dog's Mercury, Wood Sorrel, Yellow Pimpernel, Great Woodrush, Wood Millet and Wood Melick,

The richest areas of ground flora are to be found along streamsides and in the semi-natural woodland in the north of Gibbing Greave. Along streamsides can be found many of the ancient woodland indicators listed above, The ground flora in the Alder area is typical of marshy places, consisting of carpets of Lesser Celandine and Wood Anemone, together with Meadowsweet, Dog's Mercury, Great Willowherb, Water Mint, Creeping Buttercup and Garlic Mustard.

Although the ground flora in the semi-natural Oak- woodland is dominated by grasses, flowers such as Bluebell, Dog's Mercury, Wood Anemone, Lesser Celandine and Ramsons are locally abundant, in particular towards woodland edges. Adjacent to this area is a natural glade associated with springs. As well as abundant Bluebell, a number of other ancient woodland indicators occur here, including Remote Sedge, a rare plant in the Rotherham area. Other species here include abundant Great Willowherb and Creeping Buttercup as well as Hedge Woundwort, Water-cress and Wild Angelica.

As a result of the dense shade cast by the canopy, the ground under the plantation areas is generally bare. However, grass dominated areas are quite common in the western part of Herringthorpe Wood and in parts of Gibbing Greave and in these places, Bluebells are present in small numbers.

OTHER HABITATS
Immediately west of the area of wet Alder woodland is a small, open marshy area dominated by Reed Sweet-grass. Also found here are Jointed Rush, Bittersweet, Great Willowherb, Brooklime, Meadow Foxtail, Ladies Smock and the invasive,non-native species, Japanese Knotweed.

OTHER PLANTS
Between them, the two woods support at least 40 species of fungus, some of which are relatively scarce in the Rotherham area. Mosses and liverworts are particularly common in the glade in the centre of Gibbing Greave.