Woodland

Woodland of the North York Moors

The name ‘North York Moors’ does not exactly conjure up images of woodland and so it may come as some surprise to learn that this is the most wooded of England's National Parks. With over a fifth of the landscape under tree cover, the importance of woodland to the North York Moors National Park is huge.

Our native woodlands, where oak, ash, birch and rowan thrive are rich in wildlife. The ground is carpeted with shade loving plants, insects abound and birdsong fills the air. Woodland clothes many of the valley sides giving the dales landscape a distinctive character.

But here in the North York Moors, it is the new plantation woodlands which dominate the scene... at least in terms of area. The large forests of Dalby, Cropton and Boltby are not only important for timber production but for wildlife and recreation too.