The Woodland Trust tells us about ancient semi-natural woodland here in Britain. These woods are precious and irreplaceble.
If you’re in Britain, where’s your local ancient woodland? I’ve just realised that I’m not sure of my own answer to that. Thanks to my fellow blogger Rachel at Ecology Escapades, today I notice that the wood just across the valley from my home may be ancient. I think that because it’s full of bluebells which are an indicator species for ancient woodland.
The bluebells are so gorgeous when they carpet that wood in spring that I know people who always take a picnic there to enjoy the scene. When the season comes around, a few weeks from now, I hope to find out whether the bluebells there are the native English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the naturalised Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) or hybrids between them.
The Royal Horticultural Society tells us that both blubell species can be invasive weeds. I’ve waged war on them in gardens. But they’re so pretty, aren’t they? A good example of a weed being simply a plant in a place where it’s not welcome. The bluebells are welcome in my local wood.
Science on the Land 
Aaaahh, this post makes me wistfully remember this beautiful wood where I used to live when I was a young child. Every Spring the entire forest floor would become an edible carpet of wild garlic, then this would give rise to a sea of gorgeous bluebells and then finally primroses in the Summer. It was such a beautiful place and the best playground ever! For so many reasons, I agree our ancient and semi-ancient woodlands are precious and hugely valuable..
Those are good memories. Are there lovely woods near where you live now?
I don’t think so, the city I moved to last year is between the English coast and the Sussex Downs but I haven’t really explored the countryside to much around here…. I should! (:
Oh please do! You’re in a wonderful place.
Thanks for sharing this argylesock 🙂 I can’t wait either to start seeing bluebells and the buds on trees starting to burst as spring finally gets here… You can find your nearest woods on http://www.visitwoods.org.uk, a great partnership website that’s helping people find all the woods that are open to visit and accessible near where you live (and it really needs more content uploading, do send your photos in after you visit!)
Thank you! I’ll look up that website and add it to my blog’s links.
You probably don’t know that I’m disabled. Multiple sclerosis has robbed this outdoorsy person of many things, including my hillwalking and some of my gardening. This year, I hope to explore some wheelchair-accessible woods and gardens. I find that the National Trust is very good in that way.
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