On the 6th May 2011, we carried out a survey of the trees growing around the edge of the grassy glade to the north of the Red Trail, still known to many as the ‘Hut Glade’ even though the hut has long since disappeared. The eastern side of the glade has always been open and grassy, while management work in more recent times has opened up the western and northern parts of the area, as well as removing most of the trees along the north side of the Red Trail blocking the views over the glade.
Like much of the wood, the predominant species of tree are Hornbeam, Oak and Birch, but around much of the glade there are also good numbers of Hawthorn and Rowan. There is a block of 8 Rowan saplings on the southern edge. The north-east edge of the glade is dominated by Blackthorn, this being part of the Blackthorn copse which stretches back to Rowbourne Brook and the northern section of the Blue Trail. Some scrubby Elder is also found at the NE corner. The north-west edge of the glade features a large group of Sallow which at this point is very close to Rowbourne Brook. One or two Sallow are found elsewhere. Some Holly is also present on the northern section of the glade.
On the south side of the glade, adjacent to the Red Trail can be found a single large Beech and also a Crab Apple. On eastern edge is a single Wild Service tree – probably a deliberate planting. (Sadly, since 2011, this tree was cut down during one of the winter projects to open up the glade)
Here is a map showing what we found; click to enlarge.
