East Wood, Tidenham

Last updated

East Wood
Platanthera chlorantha (flowers).jpg
Example - Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha)
Gloucestershire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
East Wood shown within Gloucestershire
TypeGloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserve
LocationForest of Dean edge, Wye Valley, near Tidenham
Coordinates 51°41′54.14″N2°38′9.13″W / 51.6983722°N 2.6358694°W / 51.6983722; -2.6358694 Coordinates: 51°41′54.14″N2°38′9.13″W / 51.6983722°N 2.6358694°W / 51.6983722; -2.6358694
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Created1986
Operated byGloucestershire Wildlife Trust Forestry Commission
StatusOpen all year

East Wood (grid reference SO561001 ) (west site) and (grid reference SO563001 ) (east site) is a 0.82-hectare (2.0-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England. The west site is 0.45-hectare (1.1-acre). The east site is 0.37-hectare (0.91-acre). It is part of a larger area of woodland called East Wood, which is adjacent to Oakhill Wood (to the north west) and Woolaston Wood (east). The site was leased from the Forestry Commission in 1986 and is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. [1] The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS). [2]

Contents

Location and habitat

The reserve is on the southern fringe of the Forest of Dean and to the east of the Wye Valley. It consists of two relatively small felled areas which are sited on Carboniferous Drybrook limestone. These are about 220 yards apart with an access track to them. They are between Tidenham and Hewelsfield and lie within a relatively large area of Forestry Commission woodland which is mostly conifers. [1]

In the 1980s the two sites, which comprise this nature reserve, were cleared of soil and scrub. This has exposed the limestone pavements. The clearance is to encourage plants which require this open habitat. The southern area of East Wood is an ancient woodland site and this is shown in the diversity of plants present. [1]

Flora

The richness of the reserve is demonstrated by the recorded species which include Columbine, Greater Butterfly-orchid, Wood Anemone, Bluebell, Yellow Archangel, Primrose, Early Purple Orchid, Cowslip and the Early Dog-violet in the spring. Summer species include Common Milkwort, Oxeye Daisy, Common Knapweed and the Bulbous Buttercup. Also recorded are Foxglove, Rosebay Willowherb and flowerings of the rare Martagon Lily. Ferns grow between the stones such as Black Spleenwort and Hart's-tongue Fern. [1]

There is some Beech woodland in the west site. The sites also support Hawthorn, Hazel, Dogwood and Broom. There are coppicing stumps of Oak, Ash, Field Maple and Birch. [1]

Historical interest

The King Yew , which is considered to be 400 to 500 years old, is sited a few hundred yards to the east of the reserve in Woolaston Wood. [1] [3] [4]

Conservation

The exposures need regular maintenance to keep them clear of invasive species such as Bramble. The areas are being enlarged, but there is a gentle transition between open habitat and the denser, darked conifer woodland. [1]

Walks

There is a publication which details a walk for recreation, observing wildlife and notable views in the Wye Valley. [4] ' This includes information on Offa's Dyke Path, the Gloucestershire Way, and includes information on Devil's Pulpit (Tintern), Lippets Grove, Passage Grove, Caswell Woods SSSI, Oakhill Wood, East Wood nature reserve, Ridley Bottom nature reserve, and Poor's Allotment SSSI.

Publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust</span> Organization

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is the Gloucestershire local partner in a conservation network of 46 Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts are local charities with the specific aim of protecting the United Kingdom's natural heritage. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees elected from its membership who provide overall direction for the development of the trust and there are advisory committees. The work of the trust is carried out through staff and volunteers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Woods</span>

Lower Woods is a 280.1-hectare (692-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a 284.1-hectare (702-acre) site. The site is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midger</span>

Midger is a 65.7-hectare (162-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest straddling the border of Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1984. Since the last revision in 1974, the size has been reduced to a 56-hectare (140-acre) site. It lies east of Hillesley, Gloucestershire and north of Hawkesbury Upton, South Gloucestershire. It is at the head of the Kilcott Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannop Ponds</span>

Cannop Ponds are two large ponds, just north of Parkend in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. The ponds, and surrounding area, are a popular tourist destination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancaut</span> Human settlement in England

Lancaut is a deserted village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Tidenham, in the Forest of Dean district, in Gloucestershire, England, located alongside the River Wye, around two miles north of Chepstow. It occupies a narrow-necked promontory formed by a curve of the river, which acts as the border between England and Wales. Little remains of the village today, except for the roofless church of St. James.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stenders Quarry</span> Biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Stenders Quarry is a 2.8-hectare (6.9-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1990. The site is designated as an SSSI for its important geological features, although there is also a diversity of plants and animals recorded.

Lower Wye Gorge is a 65-hectare (160-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954 and renotified 1987. The site includes two Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves being Ban-y-gor Wood and Lancaut. The Natural England citation states a revision for Lancaut inclusion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dymock Woods SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Dymock Woods is a 53-hectare (130-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1990. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobbs Quarry SSSI, Longhope</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire

Hobbs Quarry, Longhope is a 1-hectare (2.5-acre) geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England, notified in 1966. It is situated midway between Longhope and Dursley Cross in the Forest of Dean. Adjacent woods are Kiln Wood and Coleman's Wood. The site is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collinpark Wood SSSI</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Collinpark Wood is a 66.69-hectare (164.8-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1966, revised in 1974 and renotified in 1983. There was a boundary change in 1983. There are seven units of assessment. Unit 1 is a 15-hectare (37-acre) area owned and managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The trust purchased this part of the wood in 1979 with grant aid from WWF. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill</span> Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Bull Cross, The Frith and Juniper Hill is a 42.33-hectare (104.6-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1954. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as an SSSI and Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shorn Cliff and Caswell Woods</span> Biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, England

Shorn Cliff And Caswell Woods is a 69.2-hectare (171-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1986. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lippets Grove</span>

Lippets Grove is a 5-hectare (12-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site was leased from the Forestry Commission in 1987 and is managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woorgreens Lake and Marsh</span>

Woorgreens Lake and Marsh is a 9-hectare (22-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire.

Ridley Bottom is a 1.1-hectare (2.7-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen and Vera's Fields</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Gwen and Vera's Fields is a 0.28-hectare (0.69-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wimberry Quarries</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Wimberry Quarries is a 2-hectare (4.9-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire in the Forest of Dean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edgehills Bog</span> Nature reserve in Gloucestershire, England

Edgehills Bog is a 0.66-hectare (1.6-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire in the Forest of Dean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wigpool</span>

Wigpool is a 7.5-hectare (19-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire in the Forest of Dean, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siccaridge Wood</span>

Siccaridge Wood is a 26.6-hectare (66-acre) nature reserve in Gloucestershire. The site is listed in the ‘Stroud District’ Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al., 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
  2. ↑ Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Key Wildlife Sites Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Photograph and location details for the King Yew
  4. 1 2 'Tidenham Wildlife Walk', March 2012, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.