Hackfall Woods

Thursday 23rd May 2019

Leader: Bruce Brown

Weather: AM - Dry with Light Cloud. PM - Sunny Max 16 degrees Celsius

The second half of May is a perfect time for a botanical field trip to a deciduous woodland; the spring flora is still in evidence, the trees in leaf and the ferns have unfurled their crosiers.

What better place to visit than Hackfall Wood, 10km NW of Ripon. Set in a steep gorge, Hackfall is an ancient woodland and designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Oak, Beech, Sycamore and Ash trees dominate, with Limes originating from the 18th century.

Hackfall was bought in 1731 by John Aislabe whose son William transformed it by creating grottos, glades, rustic temple and follies.

Almost the entire wood was felled in the 1930’s and for fifty years it fell into decline. The Woodland Trust purchased Hackfall in 1989 and has since then worked to restore much of the sites former glory.

Today our visit was very much about the ferns and who better to lead and tutor us than fern enthusiast Bruce. Over the day we encountered and studied 14 species of ferns and several hybrids.

I found the tutorials on the diagnostic differences between the Soft and Hard Shield ferns, and The Common Male and Scaly ferns and their hybrids invaluable. Bruce however saved the best until after lunch with three real treats, Beech, Oak and Narrow Buckler ferns.

It was a day for finding out more about hybrids, with discussion and demonstration of Water and Wood Avens, and Sessile and Pendunculate Oaks and their respective hybrids. There were of course old favourites to be seen as well including Guelder Rose, Sanicle, Herb Paris, Toothwort and Wood Stitchwort.

As with any Bradford Botany Trip there was plenty of time for banter, especially over lunch as we sat high up overlooking the beautiful River Ure.

There was also non-botanical fun to be had in the form of the restored hand pumped fountain; six to ten pumps producing 30 second water spout (see photo).

So if you did not make it on this occasion, put it on your list to visit with botanical friends or perhaps family to explore this rather special woodland, which has a lot to offer botanically, architecturally and historically.

Quote of the Day: “If you are unsure if it’s Lady Fern, I turn it over and look for the comma shaped indusium, or as I would rather put it ‘The Ladies have the Jolly Hockey sticks’!”

Text by Ian Brand

Photographs by Ian and Susan