Greno Woods

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Greno Woods
Sign in Greno Wood - geograph.org.uk - 3714090.jpg
Signpost in Greno Woods
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.

Contents

Plantlife

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]

Wildflowers including bluebell, ramsons and greater stitchwort are also found in Greno Woods. [2]

Wildlife

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

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References

  1. 1 2 "Greno Woods Nature Reserve". The Woodland Trust . Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Greno Woods". Sheffield Local Group. RSPB . 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. 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. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  8. "Peaty's Steel City Downhill returns to Sheffield post-lockdown". BBC News . 13 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2024.