DESCRIPTION
Pond Wood comprises a single parcel of ancient semi natural woodland extending to a total of 5.21 acres. The land enjoys long frontage to Harbourne Lane and forms part of a larger woodland parcel.
Ancient Woodlands are widely recognised as being irreplaceable habitats and Pond Wood is identified in the Ashford Borough Ancient Woodland Inventory of March 2009 and contained within Local Wildlife Site AS04. Ancient Woodlands are a fundamental component of the character of the Kentish Weald, one of England’s finest landscapes, important in the context of soil conservation, carbon storage, biodiversity, recreation and timber supply alongside a historical heritage stretching back into the distant past.
Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands are believed to have been woods in existence before 1600 AD and many of those will be on primary woodland sites. Woodlands were especially valuable for fuel and building materials. Underwood was the North Sea gas of pre 1800 England, but unlike natural gas it never ran out! In the Weald of Kent, ancient buildings are framed in Oak, and so in Pond Wood we see an immediate connection to human activity over the centuries with a woodland which principally comprises Hornbeam coppice under Oak Standards. Management is in coppice rotations and older growth. All work is carried out non-invasively using working horses.
Other Ancient Woodland indicator species are well scattered through the parcel including Aspen, Midland Hawthorn, Field Maple and Wild Service. Plant indicators include Bluebell, Primrose, Wild Garlic and Wood Anemone.
There is a ghyll stream defining the northern boundary of the site with a profusion of Wild Garlic along the banks of the watercourse and there are two small ponds close by with scope for enhancement, which appear to relate to ancient wood banks in the close vicinity. There is also a Roman road.
