Woodeaton Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 14.0 hectares (35 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Woodeaton Wood is a special natural area located north of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 14 hectares (which is roughly the size of 20 football fields!). This woodland is officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it's home to many important plants and animals.
Woodeaton Wood is a small part of what used to be a much bigger forest called Shotover Forest. It's a type of woodland known as "coppice with standards." This means some trees are cut back regularly to encourage new growth (coppicing), while other taller trees (standards) are left to grow big. The soil here is rich in calcium carbonate, which helps certain types of plants to grow well.
What Makes Woodeaton Wood Special?
Woodeaton Wood is important because of its unique plant life. The ground is covered with a variety of interesting plants that thrive in this kind of woodland.
Plants You Might Find
The plants growing on the woodland floor are a big reason why Woodeaton Wood is protected. They include:
- Wood anemone: A delicate white flower that blooms in spring.
- Nettle-leaved bellflower: A tall plant with pretty blue bell-shaped flowers.
- Ransoms (also known as wild garlic): You might smell these before you see them!
- Goldilocks buttercup: A bright yellow flower, similar to other buttercups.
- Early dog-violet: A small, purple flower that appears early in the spring.
- Enchanter's nightshade: A plant with tiny white or pink flowers.
These plants show that the woodland is very old and has been managed in a special way for a long time.
Visiting Woodeaton Wood
Woodeaton Wood is a private area. This means it is not open to the public for visits. This helps to protect the delicate plants and wildlife that live there. Scientists and conservationists work to study and care for the wood to keep it healthy for the future.
