Graig Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
View towards wood over other side of River Wye
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| Area of Search | Monmouthshire |
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| Coordinates | 51°46′31″N 2°40′39″W / 51.7754°N 2.6776°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 14.3 hectares (0.143 km2; 0.0552 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1981 |
Graig Wood is a very special place in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing plants and animals. This means it's protected to keep its nature safe. Graig Wood is also part of a larger group of woodlands called the Hael Woods.
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Where is Graig Wood?
This special woodland covers about 14.3 hectares, which is like 20 football fields! It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1981. You can find Graig Wood in an area called Trellech United, right next to the beautiful River Wye. It's about 3 miles (5 km) south-east of the town of Monmouth. Another important nature spot, Lower Hael Wood, is just half a mile (0.8 km) north of Graig Wood.
Graig Wood is looked after by two groups: the Gwent Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission. They work together to protect this amazing natural habitat.
Plants and Trees in Graig Wood
Graig Wood is part of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This whole area is famous for its many different kinds of trees, including some that are quite rare.
Common Trees You Might See
The most common trees you'll find here are:
- Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
- Wych elm (Ulmus glabra)
But there are also other cool trees growing in the wood, such as:
- Black alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Common beech (Fagus sylvatica)
- Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata)
Other Interesting Plants
The damp banks of the streams and the old buildings in Graig Wood are perfect homes for many tiny plants called bryophytes. These are like mosses and liverworts. You can also spot other plants like:
- Hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), which has long, shiny leaves.
- Beautiful white snowdrops (Galanthus) that often bloom in early spring.
Animals Living in Graig Wood
Graig Wood is a great place for wildlife. One of the shy animals that has been seen here is the dormouse. These tiny, furry creatures are known for sleeping a lot, especially during winter!
