Historical planting in ancient woodlands
Ancient woodlands:
Ancient woodlands have specialised habitats so Glorious Woodlands will ensure that any work on ancient woodlands will keep them protected. Ancient semi-natural woodlands have developed naturally and had woodland cover for over 400 years. Plantations on ancient woodland sites means trees have been felled and the site has been replanted with non-native species. This damages the ancient woodland but the soil remains complex with remnants of specialist woodland species that have previously lived on the site. Therefore, it is best to let ancient woodlands continue their natural regeneration and support these natural processes.
National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
The NVC woodland classification is based on 2,648 samples from ancient and recent woods throughout Britain.
Species for your woodland
Wildflowers
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus), produces juicy blackberries in summer.
Common dog violet (Viola riviniana), is popular amongst fritillary butterflies.
Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris), is popular amongst pollinators.
Cowslip (Primula veris)
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), is highly poisonous but feeds woodland animals and has medicinal properties.
Dog rose (Rosa canina), clasps onto other shrubs with curved spines to grow.
Dogs mercury (Mercurialis perennis), is a poisonous coloniser of ancient woodland, can outcompete more delicate ancient woodland species.
Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula)
Enchanter’s nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), flowers in summer and forms part of a complex woodland habitat.
Foxglove (Digitalis), poisonous but beautiful.
Common gorse (Ulex europaeus),
Greater butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha)
Greater stitchwort (Rabelera holostea), has an explosive seed-dispersal mechanism.
Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum), enjoys the shady spots in woodlands and grasslands.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Hop (Humulus lupulus) has been used in the beer-making industry.
Ivy (Hedera) despite common belief, ivy does not harm trees. Instead, it supports at least 50 species of wildlife.
Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)
Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)
Meadowset (Filipendula ulmaria), often found in damp woodland and ditches.
Mistletoe (Viscum album), poisonous but provides an important habitat for wildlife.
Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Oxlip (Primula elatior)
Primroses (Primula vulgaris)
Red campion (Silene dioica)
Snowdrop (Galanthus), despite it being a non-native tree it is one of the first signs of spring.
Sweet violet (Viola odorata)
Travellers joy (Clematis vitalba)
Wild garlic (Allium ursinum), found on the shady areas of the woodland floor.
Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
(Woodland Trust)
Grasses and sedges
Cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata)
Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis)
Pendulous sedge (Carex pendula)
Timothy grass (Phleum pratense)
Yorkshire fog grass (Holcus lanatus)
(Woodland Trust)
Ferns
Bracken (Pteridium)
Hard fern (Blechnum spicant)
Hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
Scaly male fern (Dryopteris affinis)
(Woodland Trust)
Mosses
Swan’s-neck thyme-moss (Mnium hornum)
Bristle mosses (Orthoctrichum)
Common striated feather-moss (Eurhynchium striatum)
(Woodland Trust)
Fungi and lichens
Barnacle lichen (Thelotrema)
Beard lichens (Usnea)
Bearded tooth fungus (Hericium erinaceus)
Beechwood sickener (Russula nobilis)
Beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica)
Brown roll-rim (Paxillus involutus)
Candlesnuff fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon)
Chanterelle (Cantharellus)
Charcoal burner (Russula cyanoxantha)
Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus)
Collared earthstar (Geastrum triplex)
Common bird’s nest fungus (Nidulariaceae)
Common earthball (Scleroderma citrinum)
Common inkcap (Coprinopsis atramentaria)
Dead man’s fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)
Deathcap (Amanita phalloides)
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)
Jelly ear (Auricularia auricularia judae)
King alfred’s cakes (Daldinia concentrica)
Lungwort lichens (Lobaria pulmonaria)
Morel (Morchella)
Oak bracket (Inonotus dryadeus)
Oakbyg milkcap (Lactarius quietus)
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Penny bun (Boletus edulis)
Porcelain fungus (Oudemansiella mucida)
Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea)
Shaggy parasol (Lepiota rhacodes)
Stinkhorn (Phallaceae)
Velvet shark (Etmopterus spinax)
Wood blewit (Clitocybe nuda)
Yellow brain (Tremella mesenterica)
(Woodland Trust)
