Whitehill Wood

Also within

Oxfordshire County Cotswolds Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Ancient woodland, Coppiced woodland

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 3.4 hectares 8.4 ac Description This site is a remnant of the calcareous ash wych elm woodland which was formerly more widespread in the Evenlode Valley. Although the woodland structure has changed markedly following the death of nearly all elms from disease, the flora and fauna are still characteristic of this woodland stand type, which is a rare habitat nationally. The woodland is situated on a steep, north west facing slope. It has shallow, well drained, fine, loamy soil of the Elmton 1 series overlying Jurassic limestone. It was traditionally managed as coppice with standards, supporting wych elm, ash and hazel coppice together with oak and ash standards of considerable age. By 1978 most of the wych elms had died of Dutch elm disease and in 1982 these, along with the oak and ash standards, were felled and the land subsequently re planted with ash and cherry. The shrub layer also contains much hazel coppice, holly and elder. The ground flora is rich and typical of calcareous ash wych elm woodland and includes abundant dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and nettle leaved bell flower Campanula trachelium. A number of species normally confined to ancient woodland are present including wood spurge Euphorbia amygdaloides, wood melick Melica uniflora, woodruff Galium odoratum, primrose Primula vulgaris and two uncommon species flourishing in the clearings created by the removal of the trees include the cornfield weeds smooth fruited corn salad Valerianella dentata and Venus' looking glass Legousia hybrida. The invertebrate fauna contains the nationally rare land snail Ena montana which is restricted to old woodland on calcareous outcrops in the south of England.

Species mentioned