Sturt Copse facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 6.5 hectares (16 acres) |
| Notification | 1987 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Sturt Copse is a special woodland area covering about 6.5 hectares (that's like 16 football fields!). It's located north-west of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. This amazing place is officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a protected area in the United Kingdom. These places are chosen because they have very important wildlife, plants, or geology. Sturt Copse is special because of its unique mix of trees and rare plants. Protecting these areas helps keep nature healthy and diverse for everyone.
Trees of Sturt Copse
Sturt Copse is home to many interesting trees. You'll find lots of ash and wych elm trees here. Many of these trees have been managed using old techniques like coppicing and pollarding.
Coppicing
Coppicing is a way of cutting trees close to the ground. This makes them grow many new shoots from the base, forming what looks like a "giant stool." This method has been used for hundreds of years to get wood for different uses. It also creates great habitats for wildlife.
Pollarding
Pollarding is similar to coppicing, but the trees are cut higher up the trunk. This keeps new shoots out of reach of grazing animals like deer. Both coppicing and pollarding help keep the trees healthy and productive. You can also find large oak trees in Sturt Copse, some of which have also been pollarded.
Plants on the Ground
The ground in Sturt Copse is mostly covered by a plant called dog's mercury. This plant often grows in woodlands and forms a green carpet.
But if you look closely, you might spot some rarer plants too! These include the beautiful yellow star-of-Bethlehem, a plant called Lathraea squamaria (also known as common toothwort), and the hard shield-fern. Finding these plants makes Sturt Copse even more special.
