Gawdyhall Big Wood, Harleston facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Norfolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 29.8 hectares (74 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Gawdyhall Big Wood, Harleston is a special place in Norfolk, located just north of Redenhall with Harleston. It covers about 29.8-hectare (74-acre) of land. This area is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short. This means it is protected because of its unique plants and animals.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area that is protected by law. These sites are chosen because they have important wildlife, plants, or geology. Gawdyhall Big Wood is a "biological" SSSI. This means it's important for its living things, like trees and other plants. The wood was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1986.
The Ancient Trees of Gawdyhall Big Wood
Gawdyhall Big Wood is an ancient wood. This means it has been a woodland for a very long time, possibly for hundreds of years. The soil here is a type called "poorly drained chalky boulder clay". This kind of soil holds a lot of water and has chalk mixed in, which affects the types of plants that can grow.
Special Trees and How They Grow
The wood is home to several types of trees. You'll find hornbeam, ash, and hazel trees. Many of these trees are "coppiced". Coppicing is an old way of managing woodlands. It involves cutting trees down to near ground level. This makes them grow many new shoots from the stump. This method helps to keep the wood healthy and provides wood for people to use.
There are also large oak trees, which are called "standards". These oaks are allowed to grow tall and straight, standing above the coppiced trees.
Plants on the Ground
The plants that grow on the ground, known as the "ground flora", are very diverse here. This means there are many different kinds of plants. They grow especially well around the hornbeam trees and in the "wet rides". Wet rides are paths or open areas in the wood that tend to be damp or wet. The mix of soil and water creates a perfect home for many different plant species.
Visiting Gawdyhall Big Wood
It is important to know that Gawdyhall Big Wood is on private land. This means there is no public access to the site. It is protected to keep its special environment safe and undisturbed.
