Colt Park - an example ofan upland mixed ashwood
There are approximately 6,252ha of woodland covering about 3.5% of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
This comprises of semi-natural ancient woodland (27%), non-native broad-leaved and mixed plantations (12%) and coniferous woodland (60%). Of the semi-natural ancient woodland the main type of woodland in the Dales is dominated by a tree canopy of ash in conjunction with wych elm, sycamore and downy birch. Other smaller trees such as rowan, bird cherry, hawthorn, hazel and field maple are also present below this canopy.
The ground in these ash woods is usually dominated by carpets of dog’s mercury, bluebell and wood avens with ramsons appearing in the wetter areas. Other typical species include herb Robert, wood sorrel, enchanter’s nightshade, giant bellflower, water avens and marsh hawk’s-beard. Two of the rarer species in the Dales – lady’s-slipper orchid and prickly sedge – are UK Biodiversity Action Plan priorities and also occur in ashwoods.
Other woodland types with alder, downy birch and sessile oak can also be found in a few locations in the Yorkshire Dales. These generally support fewer species although some locally rare species such as common cow-wheat can be found in these woodlands.
There are also a number of stands of juniper in the National Park. Juniper is a Biodiversity Action Plan priority. To find out more about woodland plant species in the Yorkshire Dales please follow the links provided.
