Graig Wood Explained

Graig Wood
Aos:Monmouthshire
Interest:Biological
Coordinates:51.7754°N -2.6776°W
Displaymap:Wales Monmouthshire
Area:14.3ha

Graig Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), noted for its biological characteristics, in Monmouthshire, south east Wales.[1] It forms part of the wider Hael Woods complex.

Geography

The 14.3ha SSSI, notified in 1981, is located within the community of Trellech United, on the banks of the River Wye, 3miles south-east of the town of Monmouth. It is 0.5miles north of another SSSI, Lower Hael Wood.[2] [3]

The wood is jointly owned and managed by Gwent Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.[4]

Wildlife and ecology

As with other woodland in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Graig Wood contains many local and rare tree species. The predominant species within the wood are ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and wych elm (Ulmus glabra), although other species present include black alder (Alnus glutinosa), common beech (Fagus sylvatica) and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata).

The stream banks and old buildings within the wood are home to rich bryophyte colonies. Hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) and snowdrops (Galanthus) also grow on the site.[5]

Dormice have been reported within the woodland.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Graig Wood . . 19 March 2012 . pdf .
  2. Web site: Graig Wood map . . 19 March 2012 . pdf .
  3. Ordnance Survey: Explorer map sheet OL14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean
  4. Web site: Graig Wood . . 19 March 2012 .
  5. Web site: Gwent Wildlife Trust's Nature Reserves . . 19 March 2012 . 25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111030195309/http://www.gwentwildlife.org/reserves/GWT_ReserveGuide2011.pdf . 30 October 2011 .