East Wood, Great Casterton facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Rutland |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 6.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1983 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
East Wood is a special forest in Rutland, England. It covers about 6.6 hectares, which is like 16 football fields! This wood is a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI) because it's home to many important plants and trees. It's a very old, natural woodland.
The ground here is made of a type of soil called boulder clay. This clay was left behind by glaciers a long, long time ago. The main trees you'll find are ash, oak, and wych elm. You might also spot some wild service trees and small-leaved limes. In areas where the ground is drier, you'll see many different kinds of plants that grow in ancient forests. In wetter spots, a grass called tufted hair-grass is very common.
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?
East Wood was officially named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1983. This means it's one of the best examples of natural woodland in Central England. The government protects these areas because they are very important for wildlife and nature.
The wood is on private land, so people cannot visit it. One side of the wood has an old, winding hedge-bank.
Trees and Plants of East Wood
The soil in East Wood is made of boulder clay that came from glaciers. Underneath this clay is older rock called Middle Jurassic limestone.
The tallest trees in the forest are mostly ash and pedunculate oak. You can also find small-leaved lime, wych elm, and wild service trees scattered around.
Smaller trees and bushes grow beneath the taller ones. These include:
In the parts of the wood that are wet, tufted hair-grass covers most of the ground. But in the drier areas, there are many different kinds of wildflowers. These plants are typical of very old, undisturbed woodlands. Some of them include:
- Wood anemone
- Primrose
- Sweet woodruff
- Yellow archangel
- Common violet
You can also find some less common plant species here that are not often seen in this part of England. This makes East Wood a truly special place for nature!
