Ashridge Wood

Ashridge Wood (grid reference SU500784) is a 15.6ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Beedon and Compton in West Berkshire District, Berkshire, UK (near RG20 8AB). It is within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The wood is a surviving section of a once larger ancient coppiced woodland, although part was planted with conifers during the 20th century. Notified as an SSSI in 1954, it is particularly notable for its flowering woodland plants, including an abundance of Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum pyrenaicum.[1] Ash predominates, with Cherry, Oak, Sallow and Whitebeam scattered throughout. Most of the conifers had been removed by 2009.[2]

A visit by the Reading & District Natural History Society in June 2009 identified 34 species of flowering plants, 7 different lichens on Ash trees within the wood, and 22 species of insects.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ English Nature citation sheet for the site Archived May 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. (accessed 27 December 2007)
  2. ↑ English Nature Evaluation, 2009
  3. ↑ Reading & District Natural History Society blog June 27th, 2009

Coordinates: 51°30′08″N 1°16′52″W / 51.50233°N 1.28104°W / 51.50233; -1.28104


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