Fox Hill’s Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodlands

Did you know that Fox Hill is host to a large section of Ancient and Semi Natural Woodlands (ASNW)?

ASNW is defined as areas that have been continuously wooded since 1600 (or 1750 in. Scotland). Ancient woods have been used by humans for centuries, providing timber and grazing for livestock.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provide a website that you can locate areas of ASNW, as seen here:

Additionally you can look for clues as various features can help identify that a site has been wooded for a considerable length of time.

Some plant species are a good indication of ANSW and have been listed as ‘ancient woodland indicator plants’. The cumulative number is important – the more species you can find, the stronger the evidence. These include plants such as:

• Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
• Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
• Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia)

Ancient woodland indicators should be considered alongside other evidence, and other groups of species can also help indicate a continuity of woodland conditions. These include groups of invertebrates, such as insects associated with decaying wood and terrestrial molluscs, and lichens.

Remnant manmade features give clues about a wood’s cultural history. Some can suggest a wood is ancient, such as medieval wood banks, large coppice stools and old pollarded trees.