Whippendell Woods-

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Whippendel woods in Hertfordshire is an outstanding example of Naturalised Ancient Woodland site (NAW's designation) It is also a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI designation)

 

"The wood was originally declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1954, in conjunction with Harrocks Wood, and was re-notified in 1986 as Whippendell Wood only. Of particular importance is the semi-natural vegetation, the rich variety of fungi in the wood and the invertebrate fauna. Natural England (previously English Nature) lists the whole of Whippendell Wood as ancient wood, i.e. it is believed to have been continuously wooded for at least 400 years. For more information on SSSIs visit Natural England's website."

 

Whippendell Wood :: Watford Borough Council

 

 

Its history goes back a long way and can be found here Cassiobury Park - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and some other associated links.

Cassiobury Park Whippendell Wood

 

Whippendell Woods

 

Watford Observer

 

Whippendell Woods - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki

 

I have been walking the wood for most of my life (39 :blushing:this year!) but my love of the woodland did not take on any significance till about 12- 15 years ago when I got into photography and won a competition for a photo of Coprinus domesticus, since then i have become extremely passionate about the fungi of this wood and its habitat that results from its great deal of dead trees and decaying woody debris.

 

There are few woods that have the quantity and quality of CWD as Whippendell woods, and I hope soon to begin a survey of the volume of Deadwood within Whippendell, along with a bat and fungi survey.

 

The aim of this is to increase awareness of the woodlands immense importance on a national scale as currently it is going unnoticed, unfunded and is being abused by the public who do not understand the fragility of such an eco system. I do not blame anyone for enjoying the woods, it is a truly wonderful place, but please if you visit my favourite woodland, be gentle and leave only footprints.

 

I will add many photos to these pages, enjoy.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

 

 

 

 

[janey]

The walk and foray you took some of us on in Whippendell last year was an exceptional day out. I hope that this will become a regular annual feature in our calendars? Being shown around a woodland by someone who knows it intimately and loves being there is so much more enjoyable than an aimless bimble

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

The walk and foray you took some of us on in Whippendell last year was an exceptional day out. I hope that this will become a regular annual feature in our calendars? Being shown around a woodland by someone who knows it intimately and loves being there is so much more enjoyable than an aimless bimble

 

Then it Shall be so-

 

Hamas woodland walk and talk, mid September annually:thumbup1:

[janey]

Then it Shall be so-

 

Hamas woodland walk and talk, mid September annually:thumbup1:

 

:thumbup:

[nepia]

To think I used to live next door (87-88) and knew nothing of it... another opportunity missed!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

To think I used to live next door (87-88) and knew nothing of it... another opportunity missed!

 

come along in september:001_cool:

[RobArb]

i'll be there:thumbup:

 

if allowed:blushing:

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

i'll be there:thumbup:

 

if allowed:blushing:

 

EVERYONE is welcome, young/old, arbs/non arbs, students/prof, basicaly anyone who enjoys a walk in the woods with some interesting folks:001_cool:

[BenR]

EVERYONE is welcome, young/old, arbs/non arbs, students/prof, basicaly anyone who enjoys a walk in the woods with some interesting folks:001_cool:

 

Yee haaa!!