The woodland onsite is believed to have been around since 1577 and a fragment of the former Smiths Wood. One of the oldest woods in Sheffield; it is an area of ‘semi-natural ancient woodland’.

The woodland was believed to be previously used as a ‘holly hag’ – a pasture of holly trees. The holly would have been used to feed sheep and cattle in the winter months. This ancient custom was of great importance before hay and turnip feed. The spiky leaves however were not used; when a branch on a holly tree reaches a significant height (and no longer susceptible to grazing) the leaves start to grow smooth. This practice was confined to South West Yorkshire, the South Pennines and Northern Derbyshire.

There is also evidence that there were Q-pits onsite, although these would have been filled in during the Victorian period as they were considered unsafe. A Q-pit is a kiln site which was built to produce white coal from coppiced wood. The white coal was used to smelt lead ore from the Peak District. Coppiced wood was also used to make charcoal, which would have been used in the local iron extraction industry.

An image of a Q-pit in Ecclesall Woods - (copyright) 2010 Dr S Dumpleton

During Victorian times considerable landscaping took place, particularly along Oak Brook and in the laying of tracks and pathways. There are still remnants of the Victorian ‘naturalistic’ structures lining the stream and scattered around the site. There used to be a surfaced track that provided a carriage route following the line of the Brook which was also used as a route to enter the school before the houses were built on the boundary.

Species

The site is largely occupied by Sessile Oak and Beech trees, with frequent Sycamore and Common Lime.  Many of the trees are of a considerable size and age and can be considered ‘sub-veterans’. Click here for a full list of species found in the woodland.

Woodland facts

- Woodlands are important habitats for a wide range of species. They provide shelter, nesting sites and food.

- The edges of the woodland shelter the heart from the full impact of exterior climatic conditions, creating its own microclimate.

- Woodlands are typically dominant in one or a few tree species.

- Woodlands are very competitive places. Plants try to out-compete their neighbours for food, water and sunlight. It is battle of the fittest and the plants that have the competitive advantage make it successfully to maturity.

- We need woodlands for timber, food and oxygen. Plants transfer carbon dioxide into oxygen and are therefore important to help combat global warming.

- Woodlands re-established themselves in the UK after the Ice Age (approximately 13,000 years ago) moving in from the south-east. However we have cut down the majority of our woodland over the years for construction, agricultural land and human settlements.

M Drury: Smiths Wood at Notre Dame High School, Management Plan 2005-2015

 J Radley: Holly as Winter Feed, The Agricultural History Review, 1961