Hopwood Dingle

Also within

Worcestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Area, 7.28 ha. 18 ac. Description Hopwood Dingle lies on Keuper Marl on the west side of Wast Hill and consists of a series of steep sided, wooded, inter connecting valleys. Historical records show that the wood is very ancient. The presence of large numbers of fine specimens of wild service trees Sorbus torminalis, tends to confirm this. Formerly characterised by having ash Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm Ulmus glabra as dominants, which is uncommon in this part of Worcestershire, most of the elms are now dead as a result of Dutch elm disease but the site has retained many of its characteristics. There is a dense shrub layer dominated by hazel Corylus avellana, with some dogwood Cornus sanguinea and guelder rose Viburnum opulus. The ground flora is largely dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus, but sweet woodruff Galium odoratum is locally abundant with, in places, town hall clock Adoxa moschatellina. Wood barley Hordelymus europaeus which is only known from one other woodland in Worcestershire, is found in part of the wood. The bottoms of the valleys are important for ferns, eight species having been recorded, with soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum particularly abundant. The streams are heavily shaded and in consequence have little growing in them, but crack willow Salix fragilis and alder Alnus glutinosa occur along their banks with abundant opposite leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. Alongside the wood are two small fields, too steep to cultivate. These have remained unimproved and have a good population of adder’s tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum.

Species mentioned