ANCIENT WOODLAND

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, land continuously wooded since 1600 AD is defined as being Ancient Woodland; in Scotland, where reliable historic mapping data is less readily available, 1750 AD is deemed to be the relevant date.
A few wooded areas may have developed from ancient 'wildlwood' and have remained largely unmanaged and have, quite literally, been covered by trees throughout. But many will have been managed to a greater or lesser extent, with trees having been felled or coppiced. (Coppicing is the ancient woodland management technique where trees are cut close to the ground to encourage new shoots to grow from the base).
It is also worth noting that ancient trees are very rarely found in ancient woodland as the longest-lived individual trees are generally open-grown; where ancient individuals are found in woodland it is likely that the woodland developed around pre-exisiting old trees.

Ancient woodland is broadly classified into two main types:

• Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW): Composed of species native to the locality and which have regenerated naturally, ASNW makes up about 18% of England’s woodlands.

• Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS): These are ancient woodlands that have been managed as plantations and replanted with non-native species, often with conifers during the 20th century; they account for about 13% of England's woodlands. Felling of trees within these woodlands may have taken place many times but although modified, these sites still retain ancient woodland soils and biodiversity potential.

Certain species of plant, fungus, or invertebrate are characteristic of and largely confined to long-established, ancient woodlands and their presence, especially in numbers, suggests that a wood is old and relatively undisturbed, as these species are often slow to colonise new areas and cannot tolerate significant habitat disturbance or clearance.

A number of indicator species of ancient woodland in Herefordshire are illustrated below, followed by a more extensive list. While some of these plants may take many years to establish and are therefore quite good indicators of long-established woodland other, such as bluebell and ramsons may spread into relatively young woodland. Finding multiple indicator species increases the likelihood that a woodland has existed continuously for centuries.  

• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta): Widespread and a key indicator, with large drifts found at sites like Nupend Wood, Lea & Paget's Wood, and Credenhill Park Wood.

• Wild Garlic (Ramsons) (Allium ursinum): Found in numerous ancient woodlands, including Wern Wood and Credenhill Park Wood.

• Wood Anemone (Anemonoides nemorosa): Covers the floor of many woods in the spring and is found at Lea & Paget's Wood and Queenswood Country Park.

• Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia): A rarer indicator found in woodlands such as Ast Wood, Queenswood, and Credenhill Park Wood.

• Primrose (Primula vulgaris): An abundance of primrose can indicate ancient woodland, with significant populations at Court Wood and Littley Coppice.

• Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis): This rare native tree is one of the best indicators and is found in Ast Wood.

• Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium): The opposite-leaved species thrives in lime-rich flushes, such as those at Wern Wood and Crow Wood.

• Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis): An ancient woodland indicator found early in spring at sites like Credenhill Park Wood.

• Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula): Noted at Lea & Paget's Wood and Credenhill Park Wood.

• Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus): Found at Breinton Wood.

• Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon): Seen at Nupend Wood and Littley Coppice.

• Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella): Present at Court Wood and Gillians Wood.

• Other indicators: Wood vetch, wild daffodil, and pendulous sedge are also noted in Herefordshire's ancient woodlands. 

Fungi and other indicator species: The complex, undisturbed soil of ancient woodlands supports unique communities of other organismas above and beyond flowering plants; a few are listed here: 

• Scarlet Elf Cup Fungi (Sarcoscypha coccinea): Found growing on deadwood at Credenhill Park Wood.

• Hazel Gloves Fungus (Hypocreopsis rhododendri): A specialist fungus known to indicate ancient woodland.

• Lichens: A diverse range of lichens, including lungwort and barnacle lichens, takes hundreds of years to establish and is a strong indicator of ancient, stable habitats.

• Saproxylic Invertebrates: Species associated with decaying wood, like the violet click beetle, are key indicators. Rare hoverflies and beetles are also found at sites like Moccas Park

• Fauna: Ancient woodland supports rare and declining species such as the hazel dormouse, lesser spotted woodpecker, and various woodland invertebrates and lichens.

The (incomplete) list above demonstrates the are disproportionate importancee that Ancient woodlands for biodiversity relative to their area. Over 200 species are found almost exclusively in ancient woodlands, allowing for complex ecological interactions to develop, such as mutualisms between fungi and tree roots (mycorrhizae).

Diversity is also promoted by the multi-aged structure of the woodand, with young trees and shrubs sharing the space with mature, old and veteran trees, with deadwood (both standing and lying), glades all helping to support diverse microhabitats.

erefordshire has over 17,700 hectares of woodland, with the majority of it (12,519 ha) being ancient woodland, and a significant portion (6,144 ha) classified as plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS). While specific counts of individual ancient woodland areas are not currently available, the county contains a third of the West Midland region's documented ancient woodland, making it a significant area for these important natural habitats.
A breakdown of the woodland types is as follows: 

• Total Woodland: 17,785 hectares

• Ancient Woodland: 12,519 hectares

• Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland: 6,375 hectares

• Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS): 6,144 hectares

It's important to note that while a county inventory for ancient woodland sites of 2 hectares or larger was published in 1984, it hasn't been systematically revised since then. However, a wealth of information was gathered and published as "Ancient Woodlands and Trees of Herefordshire - our heritage revealed" in 2010. This was the result of a project led by David Lovelace between 2006-2009 involving the River Wye Preservation Trust, Natural England, SITA Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Forestry Commission, Herefordshire Biological Record Centre, Woodland Trust, Royal Forestry Society. It can be found on the Woolhope Society website HERE.. 

Notable ancient woodlands in Herefordshire include:

• Haugh Woods

  : A 350-hectare woodland designated as a SSSI, particularly known for its diverse invertebrate species, including over 600 species of butterflies and moths. There are two waymarked butterfly trails for visitors. A section called Poor's Acre is specifically recognized as ancient semi-natural sessile oak woodland.

• Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum

  : This park contains a 123-acre fragment of ancient oak woodland, which was once part of a much larger expanse of forest. It is designated as a SSSI and features a wide range of plants, as well as nationally rare dormice and a variety of bird species.

• Lea & Pagets Wood

  : Located in the Wye valley, this woodland is a fine example of an ancient, semi-natural broad-leaved forest. In spring, visitors can see spectacular displays of bluebells, wood anemones, and wild daffodils. It is also home to pied flycatchers, dormice, and silver-washed fritillary butterflies.

• Credenhill Park Woods

  : This ancient woodland surrounds one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Britain. It is a popular spot for walkers and features beautiful displays of bluebells and other spring flowers.

• Little Doward Wood

  : This is another ancient woodland with a Bronze Age hill fort and spectacular rock formations. It offers panoramic views over the Wye valley.

• Wyevale Wood

  : A nature reserve near Hereford, this site is a former ancient woodland. Remnants of its ancient past, such as a wood bank and ditch, are still visible.

• Dymock Wood

  : Straddling the border with Gloucestershire, this large ancient woodland has been managed for generations and is particularly rich in invertebrates, butterflies, and wild daffodils.

• Mousecastle Wood

  : Located near Hay-on-Wye, this native broadleaved ancient woodland is crowned by the remains of a medieval motte-and-bailey castle.

• Clay Vallets Wood

  : An ancient woodland reserve that shows clear evidence of its history through past management practices, particularly the use of oak for the tanning industry. 

Ancient woodlands are not automatically protected but benefit from:

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England, which gives them strong presumption against development
  SEE HERE for further infomation about ancient woodland and planning

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designations where applicable

1. Rotherham, Çolak and Kirca (2023) Ancient Woods, Trees & Forests

2. Woodland Trust (2023). Ancient Woodland – Threats and Protection.

3. Natural England (2022). Ancient Woodland Inventory Guidance.

4. DEFRA (2021). England Trees Action Plan 2021–2024.

5. Forestry Commission (2018). Managing Ancient and Native Woodland in England.

6. Peterken, G. F. (1993). Woodland Conservation and Management. Springer.