Aller and Beer Woods
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Aller and Beer Woods | |
|---|---|
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
| Grid Reference | ST404305 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 56.9 hectares (140.6 acres) |
| Notification | 1952 |
| Location Map | English Nature |
Aller and Beer Woods (grid reference ST404305) is a 56.9 hectare (140.6 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Aller in Somerset, notified in 1952.
This Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve, which is about 3.5 km north-west of Langport and 11 km south-east of Bridgwater, consists of large blocks of semi-natural ancient woodland along the west-facing slope of Aller Hill, overlooking King's Sedgemoor.[1]
Aller and Beer Woods are outstanding examples of ancient, escarpment woodland managed in a traditional coppice-with-standards system. The woodland is a variant of the Calcareous Ash/Wych Elm stand-type, with Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) the dominant canopy trees throughout, and with scattered concentrations of Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra). Ancient woodland indicators include Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata), and Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis), both of which are locally common. Plants of particular interest include Bird's Nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis), Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and the very rare Red Data Book species Purple Gromwell (Buglossoides purpurocaerulea).[2]
Nearby is the Aller Hill SSSI.
[edit] References
- ^ Aller and Beer Woods. Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
- ^ Aller and Beer Woods. English Nature. Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
