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TREETON WOOD -
PLANTS AND TREES
TREES
The native trees Sessile Oak
and Silver Birch are the dominant trees across the majority of Treeton
Wood. Other native species that occur in smaller quantities include Field
Maple, Rowan, Goat Willow, Crab Apple, Whitebeam, English Elm and Wych
Elm. Since the middle of the 19th century, these native species have been
joined by Beech, Sweet Chestnut and Sycamore, trees that are not native
in the area but which have been introduced here by man.
In wetter, more nutrient
rich areas of the woodland, the balance of tree species is different from
that elsewhere. Alder, Ash and Sessile Oak become dominant, together with
smaller amounts of Rowan, English Elm, Sycamore, Field Maple and Wild
Cherry. On the wettest ground, for example that along Treeton Brook, these
are joined by Crack Willow, Grey Willow, Wych Elm, Balsam Poplar and Crab
Apple.
Trees found in the
woodlands range from short, twisted and multi-stemmed specimens to tall
and well-formed standards. As a general rule the trees in nearby Hail
Mary Hill and Falconer Wood are older than those in Treeton Wood,
which experienced extensive felling in the middle of the 20th century.
The more recent tree felling works associated with the various overhead
transmission lines that cross the wood have created significant areas
of open space within the woodlands. The stumps of the felled trees, which
include Birch, Oak and Goat Willow, are now regrowing rapidly.
SHRUBS
Shrubs are rare in the areas
of dry acid woodland that make up the majority of Treeton Wood. Despite
this, species that can be found include Holly, Hawthorn, Elder, Dog Rose,
Hazel and Broom.
Woodland edges and
wetter, nutrient rich areas have a significantly richer shrub layer. Bramble
becomes frequent, along with Hazel, Hawthorn, Elder, Holly, Guelder Rose
and Dogwood.
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An area of Bluebells
close to the eastern edge of
Treeton Wood.
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WOODLAND GROUND FLORA
Treeton Wood contains
a number of species that are largely restricted to ancient woodlands.
These 'ancient woodland indicator species', which include Bluebell, Dog's
Mercury, Greater Stitchwort, Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, Pignut,
Ramsons, Wood Anemone, Wood Sorrel, Yellow Archangel and Yellow Pimpernel,
are most commonly found in lighter, more nutrient rich places. Several
woodland indicators, including Dog's Mercury and Yellow Archangel, are
restricted to woodland edges.
The ground flora in areas of dry, acid woodland is, as a rule, rather
species poor. Plants typically found here include Bluebell, Greater Stitchwort,
Honeysuckle, Heath Bedstraw, Wavy-hair Grass and Creeping Soft-grass.
OTHER HABITATS
The clearing close to the eastern end of Treeton Wood is dominated by
Wavy-hair Grass together with smaller amounts of Heather, Heath Bedstraw,
Field Woodrush and the grasses Sheep's Fescue and Common Bent. This open
area is being encroached upon by Bracken and young trees.
OTHER PLANTS
The fern, Bracken occurs
widely throughout Treeton Wood which also supports a wide variety of fungi,
found both in areas of open and closed woodland as well as in small areas
of acid grassland.
MORE INFORMATION
More general information
on the plants and trees of the Heritage
Woodlands can be found elsewhere on this website.
 
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