Bush Wood and High Wood

Also within

Shropshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Habitats

Bracken scrub, Fast flowing river and stream

Description

Description The Coal measures plateau of south east Shropshire, dissected by tributaries of the Severn, is a comparatively well wooded part of the county. Woods occur mainly in the stream valleys and several areas retain a high degree of scientific interest. These woods occur on geological strata and soils similar to those of the Wyre Forest, a few miles to the south and this is reflected in the flora and fauna. However, because of this geographical separation, the Wyre Forest is treated as a separate site. Bush Wood and High Wood form a large block of woodland on the clays and sandstones of the Coal Measures. Most of the woodland is sessile oak Quercus petraea high forest, but mixed deciduous woodland with alder Alnus glutinosa, ash Fraxinus excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra and small leaved lime Tilia cordata occurs in the stream valley. The streamside flora is particularly rich and includes wild daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus, green hellebore Helleborus viridis, alternate leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium, wild service tree Sorbus torminalis and the uncommon moss Hookeria lucens. The ground flora of much of the wood is characteristic of acid soils and consists of bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, creeping soft grass Holcus mollis and bracken Pteridium aquilinum with smaller quantities of bramble Rubus fruticosus and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum. Small marshes occur near the stream, adding diversity to the site. The wood is also of ornithological interest.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities