Buff Wood

Also within

Cambridgeshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Ancient woodland

Description

Area, 15.6 hectares 38.5 ac Description Buff Wood is a woodland with a primary core and adjacent later secondary additions which were planted from the Middle Ages onwards. It is primarily of value as a good representative of wet ash maple and pedunculate oak hazel/ash woodland which contains both oxlip Primula elatior and primrose P.vulgaris, woodland types which are of restricted distribution in the British Isles. The site is additionally of value for containing varied stands of elm largely Ulmus minor, a woodland type which is particularly characteristic of this area but relatively uncommon over the remainder of Britain. The ground flora is varied and reflects the diverse history of the wood. Many parts of the secondary woodland are dominated by rough stalked meadow grass Poa trivialis, stinging nettle Urtica dioica and ivy Hedera helix. The primary core, however, holds typical ancient woodland plants such as wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, early purple orchid Orchis mascula and herb paris Paris quadrifolia. Of particular interest is the presence of green hellebore Helleborus viridis, a plant rarely found in Cambridgeshire woods. Rides and ponds are present and provide additional habitats of general wildlife value. The site has been well documented and is extensively used for ecological research and study.

Species mentioned