Trees
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The Commons has approximately 170 ha of secondary woodland, mainly confined to the western side of the Commons. This has developed since the latter part of the 19th century, due to changing patterns of land use.
Today, the oldest trees on the Commons are found alongside the roads that border or cut through the Commons. Trees such as London plane Platanus x, Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, Common lime Tilea x europaea, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Norway maple Acer planoides, Common oak Quercus robur and Turkey oak Q. cerris.
On the western slopes, fertile soil over London Clay produces quite dense woodland, predominantly of Oak Quercus robur / Birch Betula sp with an understory of Holly Ilex aquifolium / Hazel Corylus avellana. Other trees found in the woodland, include, Beech Fagus sylvaticus, Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, Sweet chestnut Castanea sativa and Rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Along the rides and in woodland glades are Aspen Populus tremula, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Goat willow Salix caprea.
Updated 24 April 2006