Broadleaved woodland once covered the greater part of Britain and a large number of our plants and animals, especially birds depend on it. Within West Yorkshire many of the remaining woodlands are to be found in steep-sided ravines (sometimes called cloughs) as this land is often unsuitable for any other form of development. This is not to say that woodland has been continually present on the site of Northcliffe.

 

Indeed, initial research of historical documents and a survey of the woodland structure of Northcliffe indicate that a large part of the wood was cleared, and the timber subsequently sold in the early nineteenth century. Fortunately, the land was planted up again and today visitors see a wood composed mainly of oak and sycamore with the occasional birch, holly and beech.

Over 100 species of flowering plants and ferns have been recorded in the wood. These include well known spring flowers such as bluebells, wood anemones and ramsoms and some less common species like cuckoo-pint. However, a walk through the woods in spring will reveal that large areas, whilst supporting a few grass species, are relatively devoid of any wildflowers. One reason for this is the dense shade cast by the thickets of young oak trees which have naturally regenerated in the woods. 

Friends of Northcliffe have helped the Council to thin these thickets and so ensure that the oak trees have sufficient space to grow and become the woodland trees of the next century. Letting more light reach the woodland floor may also encourage more wildflowers to appear.

Another task for the Friends of Northcliffe is to clear patches of the woodland of Himalayan Balsam. Pretty though the plant is, it is not a native species and its spring-like seed distribution ensures it spreads very easily leaving little room for native species. 

Autumn is a feast in Northcliffe Woods with the vast amount of fungi to be found on logs and amongst the leave mould. Although some might be edible, we suggest you leave the fungi you find where it is. Not everyone can be sure that what they are picking is not poisonous and admiring without picking ensures there will be even more fungi around the next year.