Knockadoo Wood ASSI

Knockadoo Wood is a special place because it contains a range of plant communities rich in woodland species. It is largely composed of Downy Birch and mature Oak with a shrub layer of Holly and Rowan reflecting the acidic nature of the soils. On the ground, Bluebell with Wood-sorrel and Pignut form colourful carpets of flowers in spring interspersed by a field layer of ferns and bramble. Pockets of Great Wood-rush and the dwarf-shrub Bilberry occur on the most strongly acidic soils.

Wet woodland occurs where the soils are flushed or waterlogged and provides diversity to the area. Trees such as Ash, Alder and Willow dominate the canopy with a shrub layer dominated by Hazel, Hawthorn and Wild cherry. On these base-rich soils, Primrose, Herb-Robert and Wood Anemone are present with Early-purple Orchid in localised areas.