Dingle Wood

Also within

Gloucestershire County WYE VALLEY (England) Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone

Description

Area, 9.95 ha. 24.6 ac. Description The extensive woodland of Forest of Dean has been managed for timber production for many centuries, with planting and careful management maintaining a mosaic of woodland types. The central region lies on Coal Measures of the Carboniferous period and supports oak woodland with a fairly restricted calcifuge lime hating ground flora. Surrounding this acid area are the Carboniferous limestones and Devonian sandstones which give rise to more fertile soils with a variety of woodland types over a richer ground flora. Woodlands overlying the Carboniferous limestone are often mixtures of oak Quercus spp., beech Fagus sylvatica, lime Tilia cordata, ash Fraxinus excelsior and a variety of shrubs. Dingle Wood, although some of it has been planted, is one of the best examples of this woodland habitat. In addition to the above mentioned species the canopy also includes occasional cherry Prunus avium, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and wych elm Ulmus glabra over a shrub layer of holly Ilex aquifolium, yew Taxus baccata, field maple Acer campestre, hazel Corylus avellana and other species. The field layer in the eastern part of the site is dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, anemone Anemone nemorosa, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, ivy Hedera helix and other calcicolous lime loving species. The western sector with its uneven terrain and deep pits scowles resulting from ancient iron workings has uncommon plants such as herb paris Paris quadrifolia, common wintergreen Pyrola minor, birds nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis and greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha. The site also supports a good bryophyte flora.

Species mentioned