Hazel Grove Woodland is an ancient semi-natural bluebell woodland covering nearly four hectares on the College Lane campus. It is a mixed deciduous woodland with mature and recently coppiced hornbeam with oak standards. It is designated as a Wildlife Site and managed by the UH Environment Team for biodiversity, recreation and education.
Hazel Grove woodland is managed by coppicing, a traditional woodland management practice.
Coppicing involves
cutting trees down to near ground level. Although this may appear drastic it actually causes trees to regenerate
vigorously and extends their life span. It also increases the biodiversity of the woodland.
The dominant woodland tree species are hornbeam and oak. In the spring the woodland floor is covered with bluebells.
A wide variety of
birds use the woodland including species such as the song thrush and bullfinch that are becoming rare in the UK.
Butterflies and bats are also abundant and have responded well to coppice management.
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