Beckhead Plantation

Also within

East Riding of Yorkshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Area, 3.67 hectares 9.07 ac Description Whilst clearly of plantation origin, this woodland nevertheless demonstrates many of the characteristic features of a northern ash woodland on chalk. The canopy is dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior with some wych elm Ulmus glabra, field maple Acer campestre and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Alien species such as spruce Picea abies and horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum are present in limited numbers, whilst the naturalised sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus is rather more common. The understorey contains a good variety of shrub species including hazel Corylus avellana, guelder rose Viburnum opulus, elder Sambucus nigra, gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa and fly honeysuckle Lonicera xylosteum. The calcareous nature of the brown earth soil overlying chalk is reflected in the rich ground flora. Dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis is locally dominant and enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana, herb bennet Geum urbanum, twayblade Neottia ovata, common dog violet Viola riviniana and early dog violet Viola reichenbachiana are all widely distributed. Baneberry Actaea spicata, an uncommon species, occurs here. Other Information The site is managed as a nature reserve by the Yorkshire Naturalists' Trust.

Species mentioned