Plantation areas

Like many other woods in the area, Gibbing Greave and Herringthorpe Woods have been greatly modified by plantation forestry. Large areas are dominated by even aged, 90 to 100 year old plantations, mainly of Beech but also of Sweet Chestnut, which is more common in Herringthorpe Wood than in Gibbing Greave. Other occasionally occurring tree species include Oak, Birch, Ash, Rowan and Sycamore. It is likely, given the underlying geology and soil type of the site, that Oak and Birch were the dominant species in these areas before the establishment of the plantations.

The shrub layer in the plantation areas is largely conspicuous by its absence, with only occasional Holly, Elder and Hawthorn. Several small patches of young Oak, Beech, Birch, Sweet Chestnut and Rowan saplings are present, mainly in the western part of Herringthorpe Wood, but in general there are few young trees.

As a result of the dense shade cast by the canopy, the ground layer in these plantation areas is dominated by bare soil and this has led to some localised soil erosion. However, grass dominated areas are quite common in the western part of Herringthorpe Wood and in parts of Gibbing Greave. Bluebells are present in small numbers, as are Wood Sage, Foxglove, Wood Anemone, Honeysuckle and Bramble, though most of these occur on the woodland edges.