Woodland

The North York Moors National Park contains the largest expanse of heather moorland in England and Wales, so it may come as some surprise to learn that this is the most wooded of our 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. Insects and birds are abundant and the ground is carpeted with shade loving plants. Woodland covers many of the valley sides giving the dales landscape a distinctive character.

But 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.

Click on the links below to find out more.

• Caring for woodland in the National Park
• Native woodland
• Ancient woodland
• Modern plantations
• Landscape Character Assessment 2003 - Forest  Includes descriptions of forested areas in the NYM, pressures, predicted consequences of changes.  
• Woodland Habitat Action Plan 2008 to 2012
• Wood Pasture, Parkland and Veteran Trees Habitat Action Plan 2008 to 2012
• Native Woodland Development in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills 2006 (PDF 1.29Mb)
• Native Woodland Development in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills 2002 (PDF 1.29Mb)
• A Guide to Ancient, Veteran and Heritage Trees
• Sustainable Forestry
• Woodland wildlife fact sheets