Size: 48.70 acres (19.71 ha)
Near: Innerleithen, Scottish Borders
Plora Wood in Innerleithen is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an ancient woodland site with records going back to at least 1143. It is one of only five oak woods of more than 30 acres in the Scottish Borders. With a peaceful and intimate feel, the ancient wood slopes above the rich alluvial floodplain of the River Tweed, providing glimpses of the dramatic landscape across the Tweed valley beyond. Apart from mature sessile oak, there are many other tree species, particularly beech, horse chestnut, lime, sycamore, birch and some conifer.
Wild flowers abound here, including primrose, bluebell, wood anemone, figwort and the unusual upland enchanter's nightshade with its toothed leaves. Delicate yellow tormentil also grows beneath the gnarled and twisted oaks, its woody roots once used to cure stomach ache.
A national rare fungus, Rimgbachia arachnoidea, grows in the eastern part of the wood, as well as locally rare woodland specialist species such as wood brome, toothwort, hairy woodrush, and dog's mercury. The birdlife is equally varied, ranging from chiffchaff and redstart, to goldcrest and green woodpecker.
The deepest part of the oak wood is difficult to get to, leaving its secrets still waiting to be discovered.
A single gift in a will enabled the thinning of non-native conifers to give the understory a chance to flourish, and to encourage regeneration of native broadleaf species.
Visit 'Our Woods' to find out more about this wood.
