Park Wood

Also within

Herefordshire County WYE VALLEY (England) Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Coppiced woodland, Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Description The woodlands of the lower Wye Valley form one of the most important areas for woodland conservation in Britain, comparable with the Caledonian pinewoods, the oceanic oak woods of Western Britain, the New Forest and the mixed coppicies of East Anglia. Semi natural woodland is abundant and virtually continuous along the gorge. The woods are a mixture of many types, some of which are very localised, e.g. the lime sessile oak stands on limestone, beech stands on both acid and alkaline soils in which lime Tilia spp., elm Ulmus spp., oak Quercus spp. and other species share dominance. Most woods are a rich mixture of stand types which are believed to be similar in composition to the original natural woods of the valley. Many rare and local species are present, including some of the rarest native tree species, e.g. large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos, whitebeams Sorbus spp. and trees close to the edge of their European range, e.g. hornbeam Carpinus betulus and beech Fagus sylvatica. Furthermore these woods sit in a matrix of unimproved grassland and other semi natural habitats which, together with the woods, make the Wye Valley one of the most diverse, rich and attractive areas in southern Britain. Park Wood lies on steep south facing slopes and cliffs above the River Wye. Its structure is very mixed and includes both standards and coppice. It is remarkable for the dominance of ash Fraxinus excelsior which is more common here than in any other Wye Valley woodland. Wych elm Ulmus glabra which has suffered badly from Dutch elm disease, is present as is sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus as an invading species. Pedunculate oak Quercus robur and field maple Acer campestre also occur in small quantities. The rich flora includes herb paris Paris quadrifolia, stinking hellebore Helleborus foetidus, stinking iris Iris foetidissima and leopard’s bane Doronicum pardalianches.

Species mentioned

Plant communities