Out Woods

Also within

Wiltshire County Cotswolds Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Coppiced woodland

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Description This is an ancient ash maple woodland on limestone, containing rare species in the ground flora. The wood lies on the limestone of the great Oolite series and is partially on a plateau and partially on a steep slope facing north and east. Though pedunculate oak Quercus robur is present, the dominant tree is ash Fraxinus excelsior. This, together with its soil type and the abundance of maple Acer campestre, leads to the site being classified as a dry, calcareous maple ash woodland. The shrub layer is dominated by hazel Corylus avellana, which occurs as old coppice regrowth. The ground flora is largely dominated by dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis on the steeper slopes and by bramble Rubus fruticosus on the plateau. The wood contains many species associated with old woodlands such as wild service tree Sorbus torminalis, spurge laurel Daphne laureola, nettle leaved bellflower Campanula trachelium, herb paris Paris quadrifolia and wood melick Melica uniflora. However of particular significance is the population of lily of the valley Convallaria majalis and angular Solomon's seal Polygonatum odoratum, which is the largest in the county.

Species mentioned