Tiddesley Wood | |
Map: | Worcestershire |
Map Width: | 210 |
Grid Ref Uk: | SO 929 451 |
Coordinates: | 52.104°N -2.105°W |
Operator: | Worcestershire Wildlife Trust |
Designation: | Site of Special Scientific Interest |
Tiddesley Wood – the Harry Green Reserve is a nature reserve of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. It is situated about 1 mile west of Pershore and 7 miles south-east of Worcester, in Worcestershire, England. The reserve is an ancient woodland, and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[1]
The wood, area, was once owned by Pershore Abbey. In recent times it was purchased by the Trust from the Forestry Commission.[2]
Work is done to restore ancient woodland where formerly it was managed by the Forestry Commission as a commercial plantation; the conifer plantations are being converted to broad-leaved woodland, which include oak, ash, hazel blackthorn and wild service tree.[2]
There are different areas, each providing particular habitats for wildlife: the coppiced plots, where there are bluebells and wood anemone in spring; the areas of larger trees, where there is mature and dead wood for particular insects; and mown paths through the woodland, bordered by herbs and shrubs which are habitats for butterflies, bees and beetles.[2]
There was a thriving market gardening industry in this part of Worcestershire in the 19th century, and the orchard at the main entrance is a remnant of this. It is now managed chiefly in terms of wildlife; in particular, decaying trees in the orchard are a habitat for noble chafer beetles, which are rare in Britain.[2]
The Trust believes that links between areas of countryside are beneficial for biodiversity; it notes that this reserve links the Severn and Avon Vales to the Bow Brook Project.[2] [3]