The commonest native tree is probably Sessile Oak which, as is typical of woodlands in this area, occurs in association with Silver Birch. Other native trees found in the two woodlands include Ash, Wych Elm, Alder, Wild Cherry, Goat Willow, Rowan and Crab Apple, the latter being an 'ancient woodland indicator'.

The main trees in Bray Plantation are Oak and Sycamore. Of the first of these, two species are present. Sessile Oak (with its long-stalked tapering leaves and short-stalked acorns) is the native species of the area whilst Pedunculate Oak (which has long-stalked acorns but short-stalked leaves), though native in other parts of England, has been introduced to South Yorkshire.

SHRUBS
Throughout Scholes Coppice the shrub layer is generally poorly developed, although there is some occasional mature Holly.

Shrubs found in Bray Plantation include Holly, Hawthorn, Hazel, Dog Rose, Elder and Blackthorn. Along the edge of Upper Wortley Road can be found small amounts of Gorse and Broom.

WOODLAND GROUND FLORA
Scholes Coppice contains seventeen ancient woodland plant indicators including Broadleaved Helleborine, Bluebell, Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Dog's Mercury, Yellow Pimpernel, Wood Anemone, Wood Sorrel, Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage, Ramsons, Great Woodrush, Remote Sedge, and the grasses, Wood Millet and Wood Melick.

The most fruitful places for finding these flowers are on the woodland edges, where more light is able to reach the woodland floor They are also found close to woodland streams.

Apart from these 'ancient woodland indicators', the woodland floor is dominated by Creeping Soft-grass together with Bracken, Wavy Hair-grass, Lesser Celandine and Bramble. Other plants found include Wood Spurge, Greater Periwinkle, Grey Field Speedwell and Birds Nest Orchid, all of which are rare species in the Rotherham area.

This wetland area, with its temporary pond, close to the northern corner of Scholes Coppice adds significantly to the range of plant and animal species found on the site.

OTHER HABITATS
The two wetland areas close to the northernmost point of Scholes Coppice add significantly to the range of plant species found at the site. Both areas are dominated by Creeping Buttercup but other species present include Great Willowherb, Remote Sedge Reed Sweet-grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Soft Rush and Great Reedmace. Small numbers of Grey Willow are also present in the northernmost of these two wetland areas

OTHER PLANTS
In Autumn, the two woodlands are rich in fungi. Sixteen species of fungi have been recorded from Scholes Coppice alone, half of which are rare in the Rotherham area.

MORE INFORMATION
More general information on the plants and trees of the Heritage Woodlands can be found elsewhere on this website.