Llwyn

Llwyn is situated in the flood plain of the River Clywedog and forms the southern end of a larger 35 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), notified for its botanical interest as a wet woodland . Such Alder woodland was once widespread in the lowland valleys of NE Wales, and this SSSI is the most significant remaining example. It has also recently been designated as a Special Area of Conservation( SAC) which reflects the site’s importance in the European context.The area in Woodland Trust ownership has developed naturally into a Ash/Alder woodland with some Sycamore,with little evidence of management other than the casual coppicing of Alder. Natural processes have resulted in a woodland of diverse age range, structure and species composition with a large amount of dead wood habitat. It has a particularly rich shrub layer with Bird Cherry and Guelder Rose being common. The ground flora is diverse and includes Opposite- leaved Golden Saxifrage, Remote Sedge, Moschatel, Hemlock Water Dropwort with Yellow Iris and Marsh Marigold in wetter areas. A small open glade, dominated by herbaceous vegetation and which has considerably reduced in area over the years through scrub encroachment, adds to the site's biodiversity. An internal ditch, still functional, drains into the stream which forms part of the eastern boundary.Prior to acquisition by the Woodland Trust there was no formal access to Llwyn.A circular path has now been created around the site with boardwalks in particularly wet sections.The surrounding land use is predominately pastureland .Formal vehicular management access is limited to use of a private track which runs in close proximity to the site,access from this track into the wood is on foot only by right of way across neighbouring field.