Old Copse, Beenham

Old Copse, Beenham is an 8 ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Beenham in Berkshire. The site is private land with no public access.

Geography
The coppice woodland is on London Clay situated on the north side of the Kennet valley. The site is on gently sloping ground, with damp to poorly-drained wet clay soils. A few small streams with associated wet flushes arise in the wood.

History
The copse is classed as ancient woodland having been there for at least from 1600 and still retains tree and shrub cover which has not obviously been planted.

In 1984 the site was registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Flora
The site has the following Flora:

Trees

 * Oak
 * Hazel
 * Ash
 * Ulmus glabra
 * Alder
 * Prunus avium
 * Maple
 * Birch
 * Salix caprea
 * Ilex aquifolium
 * Viburnum opulus
 * Sambucus nigra
 * Cornus sanguinea

Plants

 * Narcissus pseudonarcissus
 * Carex strigosa
 * Hylotelephium telephium
 * Hyacinthoides non-scripta
 * Anemone nemorosa
 * Mercurialis perennis
 * Primula vulgaris
 * Equisetum telmateia
 * Chrysosplenium oppositifolium
 * Ranunculus flammula