Lade Wood occupies gentle and intermediate slopes above Afon Clywedog, a clean-flowing tributary of the River Clwyd which supports a healthy population of brown trout. This property which recently won a forestry management gold medal, is populated by a broad range of species and age classes and clearly reflects careful long-term stewardship. A wide range of species thrives on fertile base-rich soils including oak, ash, beech and sycamore with scatterings of sweet chestnut, birch, cherry, elm, Norway spruce and holly, which gives a very pleasing visual mix. In addition there is a central stand of lofty Douglas fir of excellent form. The property enjoys good access with a hard track, suitable for cars, leading to the top boundary and a second track on the riverside gives similar access to the lower edges. There is also a soft level track running the entire length of the top side of the wood which can be driven in dry weather. A hard pull-in at the top of the wood offers car parking within the wood itself. Aside from optimising the amenity of the wood, good access also facilitates future thinning and felling operations. That said, the sheltered nature of the site means there is also the real prospect of long-term retention of sentinel stems if desired. Light thinning and individual stem selection between these will favour the best stems as well as yielding produce for hearth, camp fire or mill. The woodland floor is variable with clear heathland-type areas beneath the conifers supporting blueberry. Elsewhere there is a dense ground flora with patches of bluebell, Dog’s mercury, fern and Wild garlic whilst other areas are thick with young regenerating hardwoods and native shrubs. This diverse structure creates excellent habitat for a wide range of woodland birds (many of the nest boxes were occupied during our visit) and mammals including foxes and badgers frequent the wood. Buzzards and kites patrol overhead in the day whilst insect-rich flight-paths above the river attract foraging bats at dusk. Directions: Leave the A55 at St Asaph and head south on the A525. After Denbigh continue on this road for a further 4½ miles to the small village of Rhewl. Just before the village take the first right after the 40 MPH sign (immediately before a stone cottage and before crossing the bridge), via a concrete apron (A) onto a stone track that runs up the hill between avenue trees. Continue for 370 metres and park in the large hard-standing area (B) on your left (just after entering woodland on both sides of the track). Please do not drive beyond this point. Take the right hand of the two gates into the wood and walk 220 metres to the end of the hard tack (C). Lade Wood is on your left.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:01:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015