‘Wood-pasture & parkland’ is a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), and is generally the product of an historic land management system.  It typically consists of large, open-grown or high forest trees (often pollards) at various densities, in a matrix of grazed grassland, heath or woodland floras.  Parks are frequently of national historic, cultural and landscape importance. These habitats are particularly important for their number and continuity of veteran (ancient) trees, with an associated saproxylic (wood-eating) fauna and epiphytic flora.  They are outstanding at a European level, because veteran trees are significantly more abundant in Britain than elsewhere.  Parkland can provide important habitat for bats and birds, and may also help to preserve indigenous tree genotypes.	Lawyer's wig (shaggy inkcap) in the park at Kemerton Court
Oak and Cow Parsley	Beech plantation - planted on Bredon Hill in 1984

Kemerton Park

The Trust has recently taken part in a major new parkland scheme in Kemerton, co-funded by DEFRA.  Four arable fields, one grass field and two small woods have been combined into a single ‘park’ of around 55 acres (22 ha) in extent.  It is an extension of the small eighteenth century park associated with Kemerton Court, which lies adjacent to the east.  The new park incorporates a number of mature and veteran trees – some formerly in boundary hedges – which provide important habitat for dead-wood invertebrates.  Several hundred more oak, ash, small-leaved lime and beech have been planted to ensure the long-term replacement of veteran trees.  No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used in the management of the park, and over time it is expected that a rich habitat for dead-wood invertebrates and other wildlife will develop.  The park is prominently located at the entrance to the village of Kemerton, and is crossed by a footpath.

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This Page Revised: March 10, 2009.

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