About Kelly Woods
Kelly is a Celtic term for ‘a wood’. The Kelly Glen was originally part of the estate around Kelly House (since burned down), so it’s a mix of planted specimens and natural regeneration. Although difficult to categorize, it could be classified as an W16 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland community, which is defined as one with a predominance of oak and birch with wavy hair grass with a sub-community of blaeberry and broad buckler fern.
History
The first OS maps show the wood covering a much larger area than today and as being a mixture of conifer and broadleaf. The conifers were felled at some stage but their effects on the ground vegetation from shading and acidification are still being felt.
Current State
The woods are in a state of benign neglect with some areas being encroached by Rhododendron Ponticum. There is grazing pressure from deer, which may be hindering woodland regeneration. Luckily, there is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on the whole wood.
Objectives
Short Term Goals
Make contact with the owners of the wood.
Raise awareness of the value of the woods.
Long Term Goals
Eradicate Rhododendron Ponticum, in particular in the ravines, where the humid microclimate is ideal for rare species of ferns, mosses and lichens.
Useful Links
‘The Native Woodlands of Scotland’ Scott McGee Wilson. Ed Uni Press. 2015
‘Woodland Management -A Practical Guide’ Chris Starr. Crowood Press 2013.
‘A history of the native woodlands of Scotland 1500-1920’ T.C.Smout, Alan R. MacDonald and Fiona Watson. Ed Uni Press. 2007.
