Flora

Most of Bottom Wood is classed as 'semi natural ancient woodland'.

Recognised plant indicators of ancient woodland include: wood spurge, yellow archangel, wood sorrel and sweet woodruff to name a few. A small patch of coralroot bittercress in the wood is believed to be the most westerly in the Chilterns and violet helleborine orchids grow by the bridleway.

Throughout the history of the wood, the best trees have been removed for their timber, those that remain are from poorer stock and most date from around the 1950s.

A wide range of tree ages now exists, which enhances the conserevation value of the wood, and the main species include: cherry, oak, ash and beech, with smaller numbers of yew, whitebeam, hornbeam and others.

 

The bigger picture

Click on the 'Gallery' link in the menu above to see images from around Bottom Wood including some of the plants here.