Little Wittenham Wood
Little Wittenham Wood is probably only about 300 years old, having developed from ornamental parkland established early in the 18th century (see land use history).
This relatively recent origin and past land management for forestry and shooting have had a major impact on the vegetation. It is also apparent that underlying hydrology has a strong influence on ground flora.
Trees and Shrubs
The wood classifies as a W8: Ash/Field Maple/Dogs Mercury woodland.
This is the typical woodland community of heavy, calcareous soils in lowland Britain. In areas that have escaped replanting, the canopy is dominated by mature Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) mainly developed from abandoned coppice stools.
There are large numbers of mature Oak (Quercus robur) trees even within areas that have been planted with dense stands of conifer. The great variety of trees includes a large clone of Aspen (Populus tremula) and several very large Grey Poplars (Populus x canescens). In the 1950's and 1960's large tracts of woodland were re-planted with conifer, Oak or Beech plantation.
Shrub Layer
The shrub layer is generally sparse throughout. Regeneration is possibly slowed by the shady conditions and heavy deer browsing. Hazel (Corylus avellana) is the most widespread species, but all species typical of W8, including Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgaris) and Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) are present.
Ground Flora
Much of the woodland is botanically poor and dominated by Rough Meadow Grass (Poa trivialis) with patches of Dogs Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea). In more open areas Nettles (Urtica dioica) and Brambles (Rubus fruticosa agg.) become locally abundant.
In many areas where drainage is impeded by outcrops of Gault clay the ground flora is much more diverse than seen elsewhere in the wood. Wild flowers include Bugle (Ajuga repens), Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), Goldilocks Buttercup (Ranunculus auricormis), Common Gromwell (Lithospermum officinalis), Twayblade Orchid (Listera ovata), Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and plenty of Early Wood Violet (Viola reichenbachiana).
Small glades allow species such as Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) and Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) to flower.
