The boundary of this woodland is clearly marked on a map of 1790 although it may not always have been a woodland. The northern part of the wood is the oldest and varies from old hornbeam coppice, which is now very mature, to mixed woodland of ash and field maple. Aspen has become more abundant in recent years and stands out when its leaves quiver in a breeze.
Throughout the wood there are rides which, being open and sunny, abound with butterflies, including the white admiral, and other insects in the summer. It is important to keep these rides open for wildlife and to open other areas by coppicing or the removal of trees too close to the ride.
In spring the woodland rides are full of birdsong and wildflowers, including bluebell, wood anenome, early purple orchid and the rare herb paris. Breeding birds include great-spotted woodpecker and sparrowhawk.
There are many ponds in Balls Wood which vary from shallow, muddy pools to deeper more open ponds. These support a range of aquatic organisms, including great crested newts, dragonflies and toads. Surprisingly the wood is home to grass snakes and slow worms.
Balls Wood is adjacent to Hertford Heath.
Winter Update
This winter has seen the completion of our first programme of major woodland management works to improve the wildlife value at Balls Wood.We have restored 1ha of old hornbeam coppice, opened up an overgrown woodland ride, widened around 100 metres of existing ride and thinned an area of oak plantation. All of these works will increase levels of sunlight within the woodland- benefitting populations of woodland wildflowers, insects such as butterflies and dragonflies and the birds that prey on them. Bats too will use the additional open areas for hunting at night time.
Monthly Work Parties
Make a difference to wildlife by taking part in one of our monthly work parties. Work parties take place at Balls Wood on the third Sunday of the month from September to March at 10:00am-1:00pm. The work programme is shared between Balls Wood and Hertford Heath NR. For more information contact Paul Hewitt on 07803 243 687.
For other volunteering opportunities within the Trust, click here.
