Pulham Market Big Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Norfolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 4.7 hectares (12 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Pulham Market Big Wood is a special woodland area in Norfolk, England. It covers about 4.7 hectares (that's about 11.6 acres, or roughly the size of 11 football fields!). This wood is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short. It's located south of a town called Long Stratton.
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Exploring Pulham Market Big Wood
Pulham Market Big Wood is a very old forest. It's what scientists call an ancient coppice wood. This means people have managed the trees here for hundreds of years by cutting them back to encourage new growth. It's thought to be the last part of a much bigger forest that used to cover this area.
What is an SSSI?
An SSSI is a protected area in the United Kingdom. It's chosen because it has important wildlife, plants, or geological features. Protecting these sites helps to keep rare species and habitats safe for the future. Pulham Market Big Wood is important for its biology, meaning its plants and trees.
Trees and Plants You Might See
The main trees in the wood are large, grown-up pedunculate oaks. These are a common type of oak tree known for their strong wood. The lower layer of the forest, which is the coppice part, has grown very thick and wild over time.
On the ground, you'll find lots of different plants. The most common ones are:
- Bramble: These are the thorny bushes that produce blackberries.
- Honeysuckle: This is a climbing plant with sweet-smelling flowers.
- Bracken: This is a tall, leafy fern that grows in large patches.
The Ground Beneath Your Feet
The wood grows on something called boulder clay. This is a type of soil left behind by glaciers during the Ice Age. It's a mix of clay, sand, and stones, which makes the ground quite heavy and rich. This type of soil helps certain plants and trees to grow well here.
Walking Through the Wood
If you visit Pulham Market Big Wood, you can walk through it on a path. The famous Boudica's Way footpath goes right through the middle of the wood. This path is named after Boudica, a famous queen of the Iceni tribe who lived in this area long ago. It's a great way to explore the nature and history of the region.
