Cotland Plantation

Also within

Wigtown County

Condition (NatureScot)

Habitats

Ancient woodland

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian · Rock Type: Glacial Till

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

COTLAND PLANTATION Cotland Plantation is an upland mixed ash woodland 2km west of Wigtown. It is the finest example of ash and elm woodland in Wigtownshire and is of regional and national importance. It lies between 8 and 30 metres above sea level. Ash and elm dominate the woodland canopy with oak (Quercus petraea) on the dry, higher ground, although sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) form a major part of the canopy towards the western end. The understorey is a rich mix of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), wych elm (Ulmus glabra), elder (Sambucus nigra), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and climbers such as honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) and ivy (Hedera helix). Cotland Plantation is an ancient woodland with the presence of species such as dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) indicative of historical continuity of woodland cover on this site. The ground flora reflects the locally base rich character of the soils, with dog’s mercury dominating the eastern end along with bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and selfheal (Prunella vulgaris). Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) dominates the lower levels. Wet seepage lines hold notable species such as common twayblade (Neottia ovata) and broadleaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) as well as notable mosses and liverworts. The underlying geology is base-rich Silurian shales and greywackes overlain by boulder clay with brown earth soils. Hollows in the wood are composed of damp peaty gley soils.

Species mentioned