Ruffet & Big Wood - Coulsdon, Sutton
Site Description
Ruffett and Big Wood comprise two rectangular blocks of woodland joined at one corner. The total area of 7.1 hectares means this is one of the largest accessible areas of woodland within the London Borough of Sutton. This value has been recognised by its designation as a LNR and parts of the site are covered by a TPO. The woodland is situated on the plateau of the North Downs and the dip slopes very gently to the north.
The soils comprise a shallow layer of London clay over bedrock of chalk which can inhibit root development in places. The elevated position offers extensive views over South London and into the City. The wood is situated on the northern outskirts of the built up area of Coulsdon within the Green Belt, surrounded on four sides by open space. It is very well used by the local population including school children who use it as a shortcut whilst walking to and from an adjacent school to the west. A simple but popular permissive path network provides good visitor access. Vandalism, illegal dumping and occasional trespass by horses, together with difficult access for machinery all pose management problems.
The woods are different in character, probably relating to their origins but neither has been actively managed in the past. A large area of Ruffett Wood suffered storm damage in 1987, which has diversified the structure and enhanced the deadwood component of the woodland. Although not designated as such by English Nature, ancient woodland indicator species are present in the ground flora, especially Ruffet Wood. These include bluebell, sanicle, dogs mercury and nettle leaved bellflower. These may have spread from ancient hedgerows prior to the present woodland developing. Big Wood is mainly semi-mature sycamore from the 1950s forming a uniform and dense canopy whilst Ruffett Wood is more varied in both structure and species composition containing mature specimens of ash, wild cherry and beech.
The urban location combined with relatively high visitor numbers probably account for the low deer numbers and this creates the opportunity to work with natural regeneration as a means of diversifying the woodland.
