Pickworth Great Wood

Ash-maple woodland was the original stand type in most parts of the wood with ash-wych elm stands in the wetter hollows. Areas of these stand types still exist despite widespread 20th century plantings of ash, silver birch

Betula pendula and pedunculate oak Quercus robur. There are stands containing aspen Populus tremula and wild service tree Sorbus torminalis along the southern boundary of the wood. The density and age of the shrub layer varies considerably. Species present include hazel Corylus avellana, midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata and privet Ligustrum vulgare. The ground flora is species-rich and varies immensely throughout the wood. Dominants include dog’s mercury Mercuralis perennis, tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa, ramsons Allium ursinum, meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, water avens Geum rivale and bramble Rubus fruticosus. Less common species include creeping-jenny Lysimachia nummularia, herb paris Paris quadrifolia, great wood-rush Luzula sylvatica and greater butterfly orchid. 

The wood has a rich invertebrate fauna which has not been fully investigated, but 150 species of moth have already been recorded. The woodland breeding bird community is diverse and includes tawny owl, nightingale, woodcock and woodpeckers.