February 2010
Hollybank Woods, Emsworth, Hampshire.
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Hollybank Woods
Britain supports more ancient trees and unique historical woodland landscapes than anywhere in Europe. These landscape have field systems, hedgerows, ancient trees and woodlands dating back to the bronze age.
Hampshire is in the heart of the Ancient Countryside, supporting the best example (New Forest) of an extensive wood pasture in Europe as well as being a stronghold for the threatened Hazel tree and dwindling ancient woods which are of global importance.
Emsworth in the SE corner of Hampshire, marks the southern boundary of the once extensive Forest of Bere (originally "Baer" meaning swine pasture in Saxon).
Hollybank Woods, part of the larger Southleigh Forest, is documented from Roman times, established as a wood pasture (combining trees with pasture for grazing animals) in Saxon times and a Royal Forest in Norman times. The woods date back to the original wildwoods of Britain (between 7000BC and 4000BC) making it of extreme international importance and essential for wildlife species specific to such habitats.
Hollybank Woods is the largest unspoilt natural area within Emsworth covering about 61 hectares of mainly deciduous broadleaved woodland. This important area of natural open space has nature conservation, recreational and amenity value. It is easily accessible from the top of Hollybank Lane, where its entrance is marked by an old Oak tree with gnarled bark and twisted branches reaching to the sky. Walking up the well-trodden and maintained track you enter a diverse and beautiful place supporting a rich tapestry of wildlife.
This lovely amenity woodland has a mixture of areas of high forest and coppice, consisting of mature Sweet Chestnut, elegant Silver Birches, stately Oaks, magnificent Beeches, mature Hollies of impressive proportions with coppiced Hazel and Sweet Chestnut. The large Oaks, some of which are estimated to be 400-500 years old, grow throughout the woodland and were originally planted close to Yew to encourage tall, straight trunks for shipbuilding. This was a method of managing the high forest for timber.
These woods are also home to some of the oldest woodland Yew trees in Hampshire, estimated to be more than a 1,000 years old - true veteran trees. Other conifers include Norway Spruce, Scots Pine and Western Red Cedar. Most of these conifers were planted by the Forestry Commission as plantations on the northern side of the woods. Depending on where you walk, the woods change from an open young Birch wood with gorse bushes, foxgloves, yellow pimpernels and grassy areas of crosswort, selfheal, violets and bugle to a wetter wood of Willow and Alder supporting early purple orchids and solomons seal.
Although not officially classified as ancient woodland in the Hampshire Inventory (which is bizarre considering how old these woodlands are), the woods contain several ancient woodland indicators such as Wood Anemone and Butchers Broom. The woods also support many species of Bats, 3 species of Orchid and native bluebells which are becoming increasingly rare. It is a local site for nesting Buzzards and over 170 species of Moths including several rare species.
Hollybank Woods is designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) in recognition of its ecological value.
The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods which organises regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The main woodland management carried out by the Friends of Hollybank Woods, and includes Hazel and Sweet Chestnut coppicing*, path clearance, removing invasive species such as Rhododendron mainly from the SE side and clearing Bracken and Sycamore saplings to create open glades to encourage a rich variety of woodland flora and fauna.
*Coppicing is an ancient technique using simple hand tools to produce wood which had many uses. It consists of cutting near the base of the stem, which results in the cut stump producing many shoots. Coppiced woodland is very valuable for wildlife, especially flowers and butterflies because of the changing conditions of light during the coppice rotation.
If you are interested in finding out more about trees in Emsworth, and what is being done to protect them, you may be interested in the following organisation:
Havant Tree Warden Scheme.
Trees are vital to our environment, and here in Emsworth we are lucky to have an active and highly effective group of tree wardens, co-ordinated by Frances Jannaway, helping to protect and encourage understanding of trees within our community. Please visit the web site here to find out more.
Other links of interest:
Another important conservation area within Emsworth is Brook Meadow Conservation Group. For news and photographs from this local conservation group, edited by Brian Fellows, please visit the web site here to find out more.
The Friends of Nore Barn Woods are also an active and important group protecting a wood to the west of Emsworth, so please also visit their web site here to find out more.
Highly recommended for local wildlife news are:
Brian Fellows. Visit Brians's website here to find out more.
Ralph Hollins. Visit Ralph's website here to find out more.
Return to Hollybank Woods main page.
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Meeting point for work days and walks.
Meeting point for work party days and guided walks / events 2009 | Back to top |
(PHOTO: AB)
Work Party dates Winter 2010
Sunday 21st March 2010
10am - 12.00 midday. Meet at the top of Hollybank Lane by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. All welcome. Woodland work tasks for all ages and abilities, from path clearing to litter picking. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots.
Work Party days run during the autumn and winter months. From April onwards, work days cease. This allows the nesting birds and breading animals the spring and summer months undisturbed.
During the Spring, Summer and Autumn there are monthly guided walks in the woodland. The 2010 diary will be posted here during January. All walks start at the top of Hollybank Lane, meeting by the Friends of Hollybank Woods information board. Walks last 2 hours and start at 10am finishing about midday. (With the exception of the Summer moth and bat evening which starts at 8pm and finishes at about 11pm.) All welcome. Children very welcome, but need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please wear sturdy footware/boots. All guided walks meet at the top of Hollybank Lane and are free.
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Friends of Hollybank Woods
About and how to join:
The Friends of Hollybank Woods are a group of local residents who formed in the Spring of 2001 to promote the protection of Hollybank Woods. The wood is owned by Havant Borough Council and managed on its behalf by the Friends of Hollybank Woods who organise regular work parties and themed walks run by local naturalists. The group formed a management committee and undertake well planned conservation work in the woods for the benefit of both wildlife and people using the woods.
There are lots of opportunities to get involved, not just for those who want to do practical work. We need your support!
To receive a Membership Application pack and become a Friend, please contact the Friends of Hollybank Woods membership secretary. Membership costs £1.50 for an adult and £3.00 for a family. Under 16's free.
Anna Williams
Membership Secretary
Friends of Hollybank Woods
Hollybank House
Emsworth
PO10 7UN
Telephone Anna on (01243) 375502
You can email us too, contact details are on the Blog page.
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© 2009 | AB