Semi-natural broadleaved woodland
Woodlands include all vegetation types that are dominated by trees. We have no completely natural woodlands in the UK. All have been altered by human influence over the past 2,000 years. Woodlands can arise naturally or from tree planting. The woodlands of the highest nature conservation importance are ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodlands. These are woodlands that have been under continuous woodland cover from at least 1600AD. These areas are predominantly composed of native broadleaved species. The structure and tree species of woodlands depend on the climate and geology of the area. Broadleaved woodlands support a vast array of plants, birds, mammals and invertebrates, many of which have specialised habitat requirements. In a number of ancient woodlands, the original tree cover has been felled and replanted (often with conifers). These often retain remnants of original woodland flora and fauna.
The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with an estimated total woodland cover of 2,829,000ha (11.8%) in 2006. Of this, only a small proportion is ancient semi-natural woodland. The UK BAP identifies six priority woodland types.
In the Tees Valley, there is an estimated 886ha of ancient semi-natural woodland and 539ha of ancient replanted woodland. There are many other areas of conifer plantation and many small patches of broadleaved woodlands planted by conservation organisations. Key sites include Saltburn Gill, Newton Woods, and Millholme Woods, Pickney and Gerrick Woods, the Loftus Beck woodlands and Wilton Woods.
