A rather grey and cool day as we set off through Millennium Wood, planted about 25 years ago. Here Rod Cole, our guide, explained about secondary woodland and the under storey not having the same richness as ancient woodland. However, there was still quite a carpet of flowers in places including Lesser Celandine, Bluebells, (mostly Spanish), Cow Parsley, Red Campion and the wonderfully named Pignut. Interestingly there were several Aspen saplings growing in the wood, usually these spread by suckers but we could not see a significant mother tree, so a closer look is probably required to see if one can be found.

Having crossed over the fields of Stowey Rocks Organic Farm we found a cluster of what appeared to be hybrid White and Red Campion which were a rather delicate pink. Alongside was Common Sorrel a food plant for the Small Copper butterfly and Rod confirmed these butterflies are found in this area later in the summer. As we entered Stowey Wood, which is designated as an ancient woodland, Rod explained some of its history which would have had an impact on the flora of the wood. In the past it was probably affected by pannage, in the 20th century the planting of conifers by the Forestry Commission and more recently the replacement of some conifers with more varied broadleaved trees (such as Birch, Mountain Ash, Wild Service Tree and Hazel). The stream running through the wood also affects the flora found. Rod pointed out Pedunculate Oak (its acorns being held on a peduncle – rather like a pendulum) along the open path near the entrance and apparently there are three other species of oak in the wood- Sessile, Turkey and Holm.

The stream runs through the lower part of the wood and in places the banks are covered by Opposite Leaved Saxifrage like a yellow carpet. Moving from the conifer dominated area we entered the part of the wood with ancient wood indicators. Rod pointed out many such as Wood Speedwell, Wood Melick, English Bluebells, Yellow Archangel and Wood Millet. Progressing up to the top of the wood we explored the area around three ponds which are currently subject to renovation and management to enhance the local biodiversity. By one pond is a veteran pollarded oak with huge branches extending out over the pond so we had a chance to recap on the signs of veteran trees we learnt about in February. By another there was a group of hazel, recently coppiced to allow light to reach the pond.

From the top we walked down the field slopes to the Diamond and Platinum Jubilee extensions where quite a variety of broad leaved trees have been planted and the area carefully managed to support their development. All these woods have now been granted the status of an “Asset of Community Value” as designated by Somerset Council .

Thank you very much to Rod for such well paced and informative walk.

A list of plants noted is below:

* Ancient woodland indicator

Flowering Plants
Lesser Celandine
Pignut *
Spanish Bluebell
English Bluebell *
Hybrid Red and White Campion
Red Campion
Common Sorrel
Cow Parsley
Ground Ivy
Garlic Mustard (Allaria petiolata)
Cleavers
Hoary Willowherb
Great Willowherb (Codlins and cream)
Rosebay Willowherb
Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage
Water Dropwort
Angelica
Bittercress
Foxgloves
Brambles
Figwort
Wood Speedwell (Veronica montana) *
Enchanters Nightshade
Three-veined/ nerved Sandwort *
Wood Melick *
Yellow Archangel *
Wood Anemone *
Wood Stitchwort
Wood Millet *
Honeysuckle
Southern Wood Rush
Gypsywort
Pennywort
Red Dead Nettles
Broom

Trees:
Pendunculate Oak
Sessile Oak
Holm Oak
Turkey Oak (planted in the past for ships timber but found to be unsuitable)
Aspen
Wild Service Tree (maple family)
Rowan /Mountain Ash
Birch
Beech
Alder
Crab Apple
Hawthorn
Yew
Hazel
Blackthorn