Oxhey Playing Fields - South Oxhey

7.2 hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland with areas of secondary scrub encroaching out on to the playing fields. There are also smaller groups of trees within the open field areas that are important for providing linkages between isolated pockets of woodland. 

Hampermill Wood

Hampermill Wood is dominated by oak canopy cover, ash and wild cherry with over-stood hornbeam coppice. The under-storey is comprised of hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, field maple and elm. The ground layer contains bluebell, lesser celandine, red campion and dog violets. Small areas of open glades provide good edge habitat. 

Hampermill Spring

Hampermill Spring is covered by a large area of over-stood hornbeam coppice, mature oak and ash. Associated species include wild cherry and birch with woody shrubs of hawthorn and holly. Ancient boundary features are evident in this compartment.

Big Wood

Big Wood has a prominent area of mature oak and ash canopy with birch, field maple, rowan, sycamore, and over-stood hornbeam coppice. Hazel, midland hawthorn and holly exist in the shrub layer. The ground layer contains bluebells, lesser celandine and three veined sandwort. Over mature ash have recently collapsed creating a small coup and providing important regeneration opportunities and deadwood habitat.

Ox Pasture Spring

Ox Pasture Spring is a long narrow wood bordering the rear of properties. The western end is comprised of oak canopy. The central area contains over-stood hornbeam coppice with secondary mixed broadleaves including ash, lime, sycamore towards the eastern end. The under-storey comprises hazel and midland hawthorn.

Deer and rabbits are present in all woods. Roe deer and muntjac deer are locally common and there is evidence of deer browsing of young tree seedlings. Control of deer is not considered to be necessary at this time although browsing of the tree regeneration will require monitoring.

To learn about other woodland sites Three Rivers District Council is responsible for either visit the TRDC’s website or download the Woodland Management Plan.