Woodlands at Porton Down
Just over 10% of Porton Down's 2750 hectares are woodlands, containing
both hardwoods and softwoods, which greatly increase the biodiversity
found on the site.
The origin of most of the woodland is amenity planting towards the
end of the 19th century. However, an ancient oak woodland in the south-west
corner of the site includes one of Britain's best beech hanger habitats.
The main woodlands are divided into five broad categories: old plantations,
mixed woodlands, ancient woodlands, new plantations and regenerated
woodlands.
The severe gales of 1987 and 1990 devastated mature beech woodlands
at Porton Down. Subsequent planting with a mixture of species was undertaken.
During the period 1964 to 1999 approximately 34,000 trees were planted
by the MOD which will maintain this habitat and safeguard the important
county skyline features which are a visual reminder of our heritage.
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