Jubilee Wood - Winkleigh

Sycamore and Ash trees were planted in Jubilee Wood, Winkleigh for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Over the past 45 years they have grown up to mature trees. Sadly, upon inspection, it was found that most of the Ash trees had the air-borne fungal disease Ash Dieback and so the decision was made to cut them down before they presented any danger from falling limbs. It is estimated that Ash Dieback will kill 90% of Devon's Ash trees in the coming years. Devon Wildlife Trust's advice is to leave the trunks upright, so that they may become hosts for insects and provide food or nesting sites for woodpeckers. In the photo you will see some of those which were truncated. Two of them have nest-boxes which were provided and installed by Winkleigh Environment Group. There are still several Sycamores and young Hazel, Hawthorn and Oak in the wood.

On these mature trees are a lot of lichen, including Pepperpot Lichen, Lecanora chlarotera, and Graphis scripta. I have submitted these records to Saving Devon's Treescapes Project. There are also primroses and a few bluebells within the wood. There are plans to plant additional trees within the boundary, as part of the Queens Jubilee Green Canopy.