Greno Woods

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Greno Woods
Sign in Greno Wood - geograph.org.uk - 3714090.jpg
Signpost in Greno Woods
Greno Woods
Interactive map of Greno Woods
OS grid SK329954
Coordinates 53°27′N1°30′W / 53.45°N 1.50°W / 53.45; -1.50
Area178 hectares (440 acres)
Managed by Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
Website www.wildsheffield.com/reserves/greno-woods-reserve/

Greno Woods is a 178 hectares (440 acres) area of ancient woodland and nature reserve located north of Grenoside village, a suburb of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. Previously used as a quarry, hunting ground, and for commercial forestry; it is now used for recreational walking, jogging and mountain biking.

Contents

Ecology

The woodland existed as early as 1600, [1] some its oldest trees include oak, beech and sweet chestnut. [2]

Scots pine and larch were planted when the woods were used for commercial forestry in the 19th century. [3] Non-native conifers were planted in the 1950s [2] but Sheffield Wildlife Trust now have a program of felling the conifer plantations and encouraging more of the native broad-leaf trees. [4] 24 disease-resistant English elms were planted in 2018, as part of an initiative to combat dutch elm disease. [5]

A spring 2015 survey by RSPB observed a variety of birds in Greno Woods including wrens, robins, chaffinches, blue tits, great spotted woodpeckers, great tits and spotted flycatchers. The woods are also a habitat for badgers, roe deer, brown hares and common lizards. Wildflowers including bluebell, ramsons and greater stitchwort are also found there. [2]

Uses

Greno Woods was used for the quarrying of Grenoside Sandstone, as a hunting ground for deer, and for commercial forestry in the 19th century. [3]

Modern-day uses are mostly recreational: Greno Woods is a popular spot for walking and jogging. [3] It is located on the Trans Pennine Trail and features many footpaths and bridleways. [1] [6] In 2018 an 'Enchanted Forest Trail' was constructed, with the intention of encouraging toddlers and young children to explore nature. [7]

Greno Woods also hosts a popular mountain biking event, 'Peaty's Steel City Downhill', founded by professional biker Steve Peat. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Greno Woods Nature Reserve". The Woodland Trust . Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Greno Woods". Sheffield Local Group. RSPB. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Rotherham; Rose; Percy (2012). "The Dynamic Influence Of History And Ecology On The Resoration Of A Major Urban Heathland At Wharncliffe, South Yorkshire". Wild by Design & Ploughing On Regardless. Papers from the Landscape Ecology Forum. pp. 22–35. ISBN   978-1-904098-39-3 . Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Paths for Communities - Project summary sheet: Greno Woods" (pdf). Natural England. 2014. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  5. ↑ "Disease-resistant English elms planted in Sheffield". BBC News . 19 February 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  6. ↑ "Greno Woods". Welcome to Sheffield. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  7. ↑ "Enchanted forest trail offers Sheffield children chance to explore nature". The Star. 26 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Peaty's Steel City Downhill returns to Sheffield post-lockdown". BBC News . 13 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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