Kirton Wood, Notts

Also within

Nottinghamshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Triassic

Description

Description The site comprises one of the best remaining ash wych elm woods in Nottinghamshire and is representative of semi natural woodland on clay soils in the North Midlands. Biology A fine example of an ash wych elm wood developed on a gentle east facing slope formed primarily from the stiff clay soils of the Triassic Keuper Marl. The wood is characterised by the dominance of ash Fraxinus excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra and, locally, oak Quercus robur and contains a rich shrub community of which hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, field maple Acer campestre, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and privet Ligustrum vulgare are the most abundant components. The ground vegetation is dominated by bramble Rubus fruticosus, honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, cleavers Galium aparine and dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis, but contains a diverse flora including such typical species of ancient clay woods as wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, sweet woodruff Asperula odorata, primrose Primula vulgaris, ramsons Allium ursinum and early purple orchid Orchis mascula.

Species mentioned