Crumpton Hill Wood

Also within

Herefordshire County Malvern Hills Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Coppiced woodland

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Area, 1.5 ha. 3.8 ac. Description This site is one of a series of woodlands occupying ridges of Wenlock Limestone to the north of the Malvern Hills. Crumpton Hill is an ancient broadleaved woodland which shows evidence of past management as coppice with standards. It is particularly rich in tree and shrub species having over 20 species recorded. The canopy is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea with small numbers of ash Fraxinus excelsior and downy birch Betula pubescens. The understorey is especially well developed and is remarkable for the abundance of wild service tree Sorbus torminalis. hazel Corylus avellana is also abundant, together with smaller amounts of holly Ilex aquifolium, wild privet Ligustrum vulgare, aspen Populus tremula, field maple Acer campestre, guelder rose Viburnum opulus and dogwood Cornus sanguinea. The ground flora is typical of base rich woodlands, with dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, woodruff Galium odoratum, sanicle Sanicula europaea and yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon. Of special importance is the presence of violet helleborine Epipactis purpurata a very scarce plant in Worcestershire.

Species mentioned