Floor to Ceiling - The “layers” of a woodland
A brief explanation of the different layers of woodland.
The Field or Herb Layer
This is down on the woodland floor. The plants and flowers that are found here will depend on the openness of the canopy and the dominant trees. Generally speaking, the more open the canopy the more diverse the herb layer. Plants that may be found in the herb layer include bluebells, herb bennett, wood anemone, bramble, enchanter’s nightshade, primrose, wood sedge, dogs mercury and lily of the valley. The “ground layer” refers to mosses and other low-lying plants within this.
The Understorey
The layer of vegetation below the high canopy but above the ground which may, for example, consist of hazel and shrubs.
The Canopy
This usually refers to the layer of leaves and branches formed by the trees. It intercepts much of the light, so that on the woodland floor it can be quite shady in late spring and summer. Consequently the number and range of plants that can grow in this reduced light may be quite limited. The trees that form that bulk of the canopy are sometimes referred to as the dominants.
More reading:
http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/chapter/683
http://www.lickeyhills.bham.org.uk/Lickeythemes/woodlands.htm#flora
Badgers, Beeches and Blisters
A book about the practicalities of managing your own woodland. Available free here.
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