Almost too late to save ancient woodland - Country diary archive, 16 May 1968

16 May 1968 The planting of alien conifers and poplars is changing this superb example of primeval clay woodland out of all knowledge NorfolkI have just been revelling in the glories of one of Norfolk's few remaining ancient woodlands, seated on glacial boulder clay almost exactly in the centre of the county. The Domesday record shows this wood to have been a notable one in 1088, when it afforded a pannage of acorns for a hundred pigs. Over the centuries its trees and plants of the undergrowth have transformed the stiff topsoil into a rich and friable mould and it is clear that the long-continued practice of coppicing hazels in association with standards of oak and ash has encouraged the development of an exceedingly rich and flourishing ground flora. Anemones, lilies of the valley, bluebells, wild strawberries and dog's mercury dominate vast areas, with subsidiary colonies of yellow pimpernels, early purple orchids, woodruff, ramsons, primrose, wood spurge, bugle, enchanter's nightshade, mountain speedwell, yellow archangel, wood sorrel, and the graceful wood millet grass. In a few places I came upon patches of Herb Paris where the ground was relatively moist in the valley of a little stream. Related: Country diary: Wayland wood, Norfolk: This small parcel of woodland inspired one of our most disturbing myths Continue reading...