Tŷ Canol Woods

Coed Tŷ Canol is an important ecological site with the twin designation of Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR).  I could wax lyrical about the trees and rocks cloaked with lichen and moss or the folklore associating the wood with the 'little people', but simple words do not adequately convey the shapes, layers of textures and colour that contribute to the atmosphere of this woodland.

Coed Tŷ Canol

The woodland is predominantly sessile oak with a relatively open canopy allowing sufficient light through for lichens to flourish. More importantly, lichens species appear to grow in specific niche habitats and are slow colonisers, so continuity of that niche habitat is important. The UK has 1,800+ species of lichens and Tŷ Canol has 400+ species, some nationally rare, which is why this relatively small area is a protected landscape. I'm also aware that a lichenologist requires more commitment and dedication, than merely buying a Field Guide and hoping to match a photo with one in the guide, which is why; 1) I struggle miserably to identify and name lichens that I have photographed and 2) I am informed on the habitat niches that lichens occupy.

Lichenscape

In addition to the rich numbers of lichens, the wood has a vibrant moss, liverwort and fern communities, that seemingly carpet every rock, tree and woody debris. The vibrant greenery is a welcome salve for the eyes after the 'dead' winter months of February/March, with straw coloured vegetation on the hills and in my local woods.  As with lichens, these communities also occupy habitat niches too and also indicates that the woodland cover has been continuous for a long time

Coed Tŷ Canol

Moss carpets

Sessile oaks, Polypody ferns, Mosses and Lichens

Coed Tŷ Canol is designated as ancient woodland and many of its flora are indicator species of ancient woodland, it is well worth a visit.