Woodland

There are many important areas of broad-leaved woodland within Richmond Borough, but most of them are secondary woodlands that have naturally regenerated and succeeded from heathland or acid grassland areas after grazing ceased, such as on Barnes, East Sheen and Ham Commons. There is no ancient woodland within the borough, although there are many magnificent ancient trees in Richmond Park and The Copse in Ham.

There are several trees with limbs broken off from storm damage, which have numerous natural cavities that provide ideal nesting sites for woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers, owls and bats, which all feed on the tremendous numbers and diversity of invertebrates which are supported by these trees.

Ancient trees, standing deadwood and fallen timber contribute to one of our most important habitats for biodiversity, especially in Richmond Park, where over 200 rare species of beetle can be found. The Park is the third best site in Britain for decaying wood invertebrates, including the stag beetle.