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The Woodland Trust is registered charity no. 294344. A

non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered

in England no. 1982873. Registered Office: Kempton Way,

Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. The Woodland Trust

logo is a registered trademark.

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Credenhill

Park Wood

Tree Trail

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The award for

best Tree Spotter

goes to ........................

because ............................................

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Well done! You’ve finished the tree trail.

Did you spot any interesting tracks?

Badger Dog Squirrel Draw one you found here

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Welcome

to the Credenhill Park Wood tree trail.

This trail will take you on a journey through the woods

discovering fascinating trees on the way; each with a

story to tell.

Have fun!

Start at the car park and

follow the yellow route on

the map provided.

See how many of the trees

you can find along your

way.

Don’t forget!

Be careful on slippery and steep slopes - have you got

flat, sturdy shoes on? The mud is excellent for finding

foot and pawprints so don’t forget to look down!

Clean your hands after you’ve finished.

Credenhill Park Woods is a special place to explore.

Respect the plants and animals that live here.

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Silver birch

Leave the ramparts and the yellow route.

Head left along the track through the

middle of the meadow. Enter the

woods in front of you and see the

cattle corale on the right. It’s made from

sweet chestnut (remember it’s a tree that was

bought to this country by the Romans).

On your way back to the entrance to the

ramparts see if you can spot a silver birch. It’s easy

to know you’ve got the right tree because of its lovely

silver bark. Birch isn’t just pretty, it’s useful too. It

can be used to make everything from witch’s brooms

to wine!

Go down the steep steps. Take care!

Optional extra bit

Turn right at the bottom of the steps until you reach a

wooden gate. If you look over the gate you can see

ancient woodland (trees natural to this area) to your

left and conifer plantation to your right.

Q. What differences can you see? Is one lighter

than the other? Does one have more undergrowth on

the ground? Which do you think has more animal life

in it?

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Ash

Carry on around

the rampart.

Keep your eyes peeled for large

round tree stumps with lots of stems – these are

‘coppice stools’. In the past woodsmen would have cut

the growing stems to use or sell them for a variety of

things like charcoal and fencing products, different

species were used for different jobs. Q. Can you think

of any other uses for timber produced in the woodland?

Yew

The path bends to the left and then the right.

Cross a break in the rampart and rejoin it.

Keep the field on your left and the trees on

your right.

Amazing massive yew trees

overhang the path all along here

and they’re hard to miss!

Yews are the most ancient trees

in Britain. They get gnarled and

sprawling in their old age. Take

a photo or make a drawing of your favourite one.

What words would you use to describe it? You

can upload them to www.ancienttreehunt.org.uk

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Sycamore

Climb the hill about 50m until you reach a

raised grass mound and stone table on your

left. Take a moment to soak up the view

(and get your breath back!).

Look around and you’ll find a

sycamore here. Like rabbits, the Roman

snail and pheasants, sycamores aren’t

native to Britain. They are ‘invaders’

introduced by the Romans.

Sweet chestnut is another tree brought

to Britain by the Romans. Q. Why do you think

they bought it with them? One clue is in the name!

Elder

Rejoin the path and keep walking up the hill

until you see a waymarker post with a blue

horseshoe sign. From here go left and

follow the yellow route up the forest track.

Keep your eyes peeled. Can you spot an

elder bush on the way?

Have a sniff. The leaves can give off an

unpleasant bitter smell to stop animals and

insects from nibbling on them. The bark and

berries make a good dye for clothes.

Q. Have you tried elderflower cordial?

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Horse chestnut

Follow the yellow triangle uphill.

Have you ever played conkers? Then

you’ll know exactly which tree to look for! The horse

chestnut tree’s massive leaves and seeds

are easy to spot on the way.

Now check the twigs where the leaves

have fallen from. They leave behind tiny

horseshoe shaped marks - like a miniature

horse has been galloping all over the tree!

Oak

Carry on through the double gate

and cattle proof fence.

Can you see an oak tree along your way?

These fabulous trees are home to many

animals, insects, plants and fungi.

Oak wood is valuable because it can be used for so

many things, from building houses and tables to whole

ships and even brushing your teeth with the twigs (but I

don’t think your dentist would recommend it!). If you

need to keep warm, it burns well when dry.

There’s lots of hazel too - good for making

bendy things like walls or for burning.

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Larch

At the entrance to the ramparts (big mounds

on either side of the path) turn right up the

steps. Follow the path.

You’re now on top of the inner rampart - actually

walking on the ancient remains of the fort!

If you look down to your right you can see

the outer rampart down the hill.

This is a shady route through conifer trees.

One of these is the larch. Q. Can you

find any cones like the one pictured

here?

Most of these trees were planted here for

their timber. The Woodland Trust are

slowly removing them to make way for native trees.

Holly and ivy

Cross the small wooden bridge and

continue along the rampart. Watch

out, the path can be slippery and there

are lots of rabbit and badger holes!

Can you spot any berries on holly or ivy?

Q. They’re poisonous to us but what

do you think might enjoy eating them?