East Wood, Great Casterton

Also within

Rutland County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

Description The site comprises one of the best remaining semi natural woodlands in Leicestershire and is representative of semi natural woodland on clay soils in Central England. Biology A fine example of ash oak wych elm woodland developed on soils derived from boulder clays of glacial origin which overlie great Oolite Limestone. The wood is dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior and oak Quercus robur, with wych elm Ulmus glabra locally frequent, while small leaved lime Tilia cordata and wild Service tree Sorbus torminalis are of occasional occurrence. A range of shrub species is present characterised by privet Ligustrum vulgare, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, hazel Corylus avellana and spindle Euonymus europaeus. In wetter areas the ground flora is dominated by tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa, but on the better drained soils a diverse flora typical of ancient woodlands is present including such characteristic plants as wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, sweet woodruff Asperula odorata, yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon and primrose Primula vulgaris, together with a number of plant species which are of uncommon or rare occurrence in Leicestershire. A sinuous wood bank occurs along part of the woodland boundary.

Species mentioned