Speech House Oaks
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox SSSI
|image=Image:Oak tree in the Forest of Dean - geograph.org.uk - 1563008.jpg
|image_caption=Oak near Speech House in autumn colours
|name=Speech House Oaks
|aos=Gloucestershire
|interest=Biological
|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SO622123}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.808503|-2.548942|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|area=16.26 hectare
|notifydate=1972
|enref=1002752
}}
Speech House Oaks ({{gbmapping|SO622123}}) is a {{convert|16.26|ha|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1972.[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002752 Natural England SSSI information on the citation][http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6464&tt=graphic Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Sites of Special Scientific Interest]
The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review' as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).[http://www.fdean.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=6464&tt=graphic Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Key Wildlife Sites]
Location and habitat
The Speech House Oaks are located in the Forest of Dean, which is managed by the Forestry Commission.[http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandGloucestershireNoForestForestOfDeanSpeechHouseWoodland Forestry Commission information on the Speech House woodland] (All of the land within Speech House Oaks SSSI is owned by the Forestry Commission{{Cite web |date=2020-10-06 |title=Mapping the habitats of England’s ten largest institutional landowners |url=https://whoownsengland.org/2020/10/06/mapping-the-habitats-of-englands-ten-largest-institutional-landowners/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Who owns England? |language=en}}). The site is a linear band of open woodland of oak on either side of the Speech House Road near Speech House, and is close to the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.
The planting and careful management of the vast woodland of the Forest of Dean has been carried out for hundreds of years. This has resulted in a mosaic of different types of tree. The central area of the forest is on the Coal Measures and this supports oak. Such woodland has limited ground flora as this area is acid. Limestone and Old Red Sandstone rocks surround this central area. The soils in the surroundings are richer, and support a variety of tree types and a more abundant ground flora.
Flora
The site is significant for epiphytic flora and supports a range of uncommon lichens and bryophytes. There is considered to be a low level of atmospheric pollution in this area, and, together with the ancient trees, this has encouraged a significant diversity of ephyitic flora (numbers are recorded and particular species listed).
The oaks and hollies are on acid loam which is poorly drained. There is bracken, bramble and common bent. This is the usual make-up of such areas which are grazed oak woodlands.{{cite web |title=Speech House Oaks |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1002752.pdf |publisher=Natural England |accessdate=3 July 2020}}
Fauna
Old trees develop holes where they shed branches, and these are recorded nesting sites for particular birds such as the common redstart.
References
{{Reflist|2}}
SSSI Source
- [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002752 Natural England SSSI information on the citation]
- [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/unit_details.cfm?situnt_id=1013482 Natural England SSSI information on the Speech House Oaks units]
External links
- [http://www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England] (SSSI information)
- [http://www.forestry.gov.uk Forestry Commission]
Image:Speech House Road - geograph.org.uk - 1560611.jpg|Speech House Road
Image:The Royal Oaks - geograph.org.uk - 743667.jpg|Royal Oaks opposite Speech House
Image:The Speech House - geograph.org.uk - 743658.jpg|Speech House
{{SSSIs Gloucs biological}}
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1972