| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SK 539125 |
| Coordinates | 52°42′22″N 1°12′11″W / 52.706°N 1.203°W / 52.706; -1.203 |
| Interest | Biological/Geological |
| Area | 86.2 hectares (213 acres) |
| Notification | 1956 (1956) |
|
Natural England website |
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Swithland Wood has received a blend of continuity and disruption in its management that has stimulated its diversity of plant life, whilst allowing complex ecosystems to survive and develop. The disruptions include the quarries, substantial periods of felling in the 19th century, construction of a water main across the site, clearing back of rides and paths, and the arrival of countless tramping feet. Each of these has impacted on some of the trees and plants, but created additional habitats, allowing other species to become established. But as a whole, Swithland Wood has had great continuity, at least since the medieval ploughing ceased. The woods themselves are mixed, principally mature oak, ash, lime and holly. These have been the predominant species for many hundred years, and on the rockiest places have probably always been there. This provides the continuity that has enabled such richness to develop. The result is a woodland with a Flora Score = 147, the highest score of any of the Leicestershire and Rutland woodlands., ahead of Owston Woods (132) and Burley Wood (125).
Read more about this topic: Swithland Wood
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