Carlton Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.1503, 0.4168

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TL654529 Unfavourable Recovering 10.45 2011-12-09

Description

Area, 10.3 hectares 25.5 ac Description Carlton Wood is ancient and semi natural and holds one of the finest of the few hornbeam stands in the county. In addition both the hornbeam and ash maple stands are of a nationally uncommon variant containing oxlip Primula elatior. The woodland is predominantly former coppice with standards of ash Fraxinus excelsior, field maple Acer campestre and hazel Corylus avellana with pedunculate oak Quercus robur. Hornbeam Carpinus betulus is locally common. Ancient coppice stools of both hornbeam and ash are present. There is a rich ground flora. Oxlips are locally abundant and a good range of other typical ancient woodland species are recorded including early purple orchid Orchis mascula, herb paris Paris quadrifolia and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella. A wide ride is present and this provides a valuable habitat for many ‘woodland edge’ herbs and grasses and is likely to be of additional value for invertebrates.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
early purple orchid Orchis mascula LC herb orchidaceae
wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella LC herb oxalidaceae
herb paris Paris quadrifolia VU herb melanthiaceae
oxlip Primula elatior LC herb primulaceae
field maple Acer campestre LC tree aceraceae
hornbeam Carpinus betulus LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
common oak Quercus robur LC tree fagaceae