Baileys Wood

Baileys Wood is a small but highly visible wood occupying east and north facing slopes alongside the Biddulph Brook and overlooking the A527 immediately north of Biddulph, Staffordshire. The woodland is semi-natural ancient woodland (ASNW) but has been colonised quite densely in places,by sycamore. Two main NVC woodland types exist; W7c Glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum on the soils associated with wetter ground and W10a Quercus robur-Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus woodland on the more free draining soils. Within areas of W7a Alder and Sycamore dominate the canopy with the occasional mature Ash, and provides a well structured and diverse stand with abundant regeneration of Ash, Willow and Sycamore. In areas of W10a woodland to the south the canopy is dense and dominated by Sycamore with frequent Pedunculate Oak. The shrub layer is sparse with occasional young Hazel, Rowan and Downy Birch. Young beech can be found around the Baileys Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), which lies in the south-east corner of the site. Ground flora within the areas of W7c woodland are varied and not dominated by any one species. W10a woodland is more frequently dominated by Wood millett, Bluebell and Tufted hair-grass.