Hanger Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
A south-west view of Hanger Wood
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| Area of Search | Bedfordshire |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 24.1 hectares |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Hanger Wood is an ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. It's about one kilometer east of the village of Stagsden. This special forest covers about 24.12 hectares (which is roughly 60 acres).
Hanger Wood was officially named an SSSI in 1988. This means it's a very important place for nature. Experts at Natural England say it's "one of the best remaining examples of wet ash-maple woodland in Bedfordshire."
The name "Hanger" comes from an old English word. It means "wood on a hill" or "wooded hill." This name fits Hanger Wood perfectly because it sits on a slope. A. Simco, who studied the wood in 1984, noted that its features are strongly shaped by the local rocks and land.
Right now, you can't visit Hanger Wood because there is no public access.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Hanger Wood's History
Before the Stagsden Golf Course was built next to the wood, people found exciting clues about the past. They discovered signs of a settlement from the late Iron Age and Romano-British times.
Ancient Discoveries
During excavations, archaeologists found a ditch-surrounded area. They also uncovered pits, small channels, and even a possible fireplace. Pieces of pottery and an animal burial were also found, giving us hints about how people lived long ago.
Woodland Changes Over Centuries
In the Iron Age and Roman times, much of the woodland was cleared away. Before that, the area was naturally covered in trees.
During the Middle Ages (around the year 1200), Hanger Wood was managed using a "common field system." This system lasted until the 1800s. The wood provided important materials like timber and smaller wood for the people of Stagsden.
Signs of an Old Forest
Hanger Wood is considered an "ancient woodland" because it has many different types of plants. This variety is a strong sign that a forest has been around for a very long time. Its wiggly boundaries, especially at the south-western end, also show its age. The south-east boundary is especially interesting because it follows a very old line, possibly even from pre-historic times.
In 1838, the land in Stagsden was "enclosed." This meant that old field boundaries were changed a lot. However, you can still see some signs of the older system today.
Hanger Wood: A Special Place for Nature
Hanger Wood is an ancient semi-natural woodland. This means it's a forest that has been around for a very long time and has grown mostly on its own. It still shows signs of how it was managed in the past, using a method called "coppice-with-standards."
What is an SSSI?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a protected area in the UK. It's recognized for its special wildlife, geology, or landforms. Hanger Wood was named an SSSI in 1988 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This protects its unique features.
Trees and Shrubs
The main trees in Hanger Wood are tall oak (called penduculate oak) and ash trees. Below these taller trees, you'll find a layer of smaller trees and bushes. This "shrub layer" is mostly made up of midland hawthorn and hazel.
Some plants like wayfaring tree and spindle mostly grow at the edges of the wood. You can also find blackthorn forming thick, dense patches.
Ground Plants and Flowers
On the ground, you'll see lots of bluebells and dog's mercury. In drier spots, bramble (which makes blackberries) grows.
Along the paths, or "rides," in the wood, you can find plants that like marshy, wet grasslands. These include false fox-sedge, angelica, valerian, meadowsweet, and pendulous sedge.
Rare and Ancient Woodland Plants
Hanger Wood is home to several plants that are usually only found in very old woodlands. These include:
- Herb paris (which is quite rare in Bedfordshire)
- Wood millet
- Wood melick
- Yellow archangel
- Wood anemone
- Wood sedge
These plants help show just how old and special Hanger Wood truly is.
