Sweet Chestnut dominated woodland

Sweet Chestnut is common in Wheata Wood, especially in eastern, roadside areas. Oak, Beech and some Sycamore are also frequent in these areas and, together with the Holly in the understorey, these result in a densely crowded area of woodland and an impoverished ground flora, with the exception of Common Cow-wheat, which can grow well in the shade.

Sweet Chestnut, though not native, supports a wide range of insects, and mature trees tend to have bosses, crevices and dead wood which provide valuable nesting sites for birds.