Acomb Wood - Woodthorpe

Site Description

The York Green Site Survey of 1991 found evidence of ridge and furrow ploughing on the woodland floor which seems to suggest that it is plantation woodland created in the 18th Century. This small wood lies on a level site within a residential estate, in the suburb of Acomb, to the south west of York City centre. It is really only part of Acomb Wood having been dissected from the main part of the wood by an estate road (Acomb Wood Drive) The main woodland is considerably larger in size and is situated to the east. Both woods are surrounded by new housing development which makes them a welcome visual break in an otherwise urban landscape. Along the estate road boundary is a substantial metal fence.

The wood totalling 3 acres was acquired by the Trust in January 1991as a gift from York City Council, with an endowment, to be shared with Knavesmire which was gifted at the same time.

Acomb Wood lies on the south west side of York in the suburb of Acomb. The wood can be accessed from Acomb Wood Drive which abuts the south-eastern boundary. Access through a pedestrian gate can be found at the south eastern corner of the wood. A second entrance is available near the north eastern corner where a path crosses a wide grass verge directly opposite the Public House. There is a permissive circular path (approximately 400m) which runs around the perimeter of the wood. This path can be wet in winter as the ground is low lying and parts of the path has standing water. Two less used paths enter the wood at the north western corner and south western corner.

A large variety of birds have been noted in the wood including the great spotted woodpecker, tawny owls and tree creepers. A number of mature trees show evidence of woodpeckers.

The wood appeared to have received little management until work undertaken by the Trust in the 1990's. The site was flooded for about 18 months in the mid 1980's which caused the root plates of many mature poplar trees to lift. In view of safety concerns over the stability of these trees the poplars were removed in 1991, which caused some ill feeling at the time as the poplars covered a large part of the site. The removal of these trees has however, encouraged natural regeneration of ash, sycamore and re-growth of poplars from the stumps which is doing well. Control of poplar suckers was undertaken in 2003.

The wood has some interesting ground flora but the distribution is limited.