Cherry Wood facts for kids
Cherry Wood is a special natural area in Morden Park, London. It's like a small forest, about 1.8 hectares big. That's roughly the size of two football fields! This wood is protected as a Local Nature Reserve. It's also recognized as a very important place for nature in the borough. Merton Council owns Cherry Wood, and they work with a group called the Friends of Cherry Wood to take care of it.
Contents
Discover Cherry Wood: A Green Oasis
Cherry Wood is a small but mighty green space. It's officially known as a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a place where nature is protected for everyone to enjoy. It's also listed as a Site of Borough Importance for Nature Conservation, Grade II. This shows how valuable it is for the plants and animals that live there.
A Look Back: Cherry Wood's History
Long ago, Cherry Wood was part of a much bigger forest. An old map from 1837 shows it as "Great Wood." Over time, houses were built all around it, and now it's surrounded by neighborhoods.
For many years, until 1990, Cherry Wood was actually used as a place where people left rubbish. But then, people decided to restore it. They worked hard to clean it up and bring it back to life as a beautiful nature reserve. It's amazing how a place can change from a rubbish dump into a home for wildlife!
Plants and Animals of Cherry Wood
Cherry Wood is home to many different kinds of trees. You'll find tall pedunculate oak trees, strong ash trees, and pretty horse chestnut trees. These trees provide shelter and food for many creatures.
When spring arrives, the wood comes alive with colorful flowers. You might spot bright bluebells, wild garlic (also called ramsons), and other wildflowers like wood melick.
Many birds also love Cherry Wood. So far, twenty-five different types of birds have been seen here! This includes three kinds of woodpeckers, which you might hear tapping on trees. You could also spot a small, active bird called a chiffchaff or hear the hoot of a tawny owl at night.
How to Visit Cherry Wood
Cherry Wood is a great place to explore and enjoy nature. You can easily get into the wood from two different streets: Northernhay Walk and Shaldon Drive. It's a perfect spot for a quiet walk or to simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
