Scarcroft Plantation - Scarcroft

Site Description

The site was donated to the Trust on the 29th December 1995 from Mrs Vera Watson. Scarcroft Plantation lies on a gently sloping site within the linear village of Scarcroft. Residential properties border on the north and south sides of the wood, with a golf course to the west and Wetherby Road (A58T) to the east. A small strip on the southern side of woodland, immediately adjacent to the houses, is not owned by the Trust.

Limited management work appears to have been undertaken in the past. In 2001 the Trust completed the thinning of sycamore trees along a strip 20-30m wide adjacent to Wetherby Road. In addition extensive tree pruning over the highway was undertaken in the interest of highway safety. Few historical notes are currently available on the woodland although it is thought to have been planted by Bramham Park, a large estate in the area. The site contains a small-disused quarry no doubt dug to provide local building material.

The site is well used by local people being within walking distance of the village. A circular path runs through the wood, with two access points off the main road. A third access comes across private woodland on the southern boundary from the housing estate.

The woodland comprises of mixed broadleaved species and a varied age structure. The main tree species are birch and oak with rowan, sycamore and beech also present. These species are regenerating naturally with many young seedlings throughout the woodland. The majority of trees are in the 40-60 year age range, no doubt developed since the Second World War. Several fully mature beeches of approximately 150 years plus are present on the eastern boundary of the wood.

The wood is bordered by the A58 to the east, housing to the north and south with a golf course on the western and northern boundary. The ownership boundary of the Trust is inside the woodland along the southern boundary.