Black Plantation

About the Site

Black Plantation is a 14 hectare broadleaved woodland occupying a level site in the Browney Valley. The wood is dominated by birch, with the occasional oak, beech, willow and Scots pine. Patches of thorn and gorse also occur and there is an area of alder coppice at the eastern end of the wood. An interesting wet area also exists in the south west corner of the site as you enter the wood off the B6296. A circular footpath runs through the wood from the public road.

The western half of the site is wet birch woodland, with few shrubs. The ground flora here consists mostly of grasses and ferns. Mosses can also be found in the many depressions.

The eastern half of the wood is much drier, mainly birch with a small amount of oak and a few beech. In this area there is a variety of shrub species including holly, hazel, guelder rose and bird cherry. Guelder rose is a shrub from the honeysuckle family, but the name refers to the rose-like balls of white flowers. The name Guelder is derived from the Gueldres region on the borders of Holland and Germany where this shrub is also native. The herb layer includes species such as wild strawberry, lesser celandine, dog violet, wood sorrel and common bugle, as well as heather and bilberry on drier ground.

A broad ride, which runs through the wood is developing into birch scrub, but still contains some sedge species including pale-sedge. The pearl-bordered and small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies have been recorded within the wood but have not been seen for some years. However, the uncommon orange underwing moth can still be found within the wood. The wood also contains an interesting range of bird life, as well as roe deer and foxes.

Black Plantation

Location

Black Plantation is situated on the B6296 between Lanchester and Satley. Travelling from Lanchester, the woodland can be found on the left hand side of the road just after the bridge over the River Browney.

Facilities

None.

Enquiries

Woodland Trust
Autumn Park
Dysart Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 6LL
Tel: 01476 581111