Woodlands

The natural woodlands now found in valleys and lowlands are the last remnants of the ancient woodland that once covered Snowdonia. Supporting a variety of precious plant and animal life, these woods are often in danger of dying out due to lack of regeneration. The local authorities are doing good work to encourage regeneration and expansion of existing broadleaved woodlands.

Forestry plantations are a modern phenomenon in Snowdonia, planted within the last century with little or no regard for their detrimental impact on the landscape. The straight lines of the forest boundaries and the single species block planting has introduced a new and alien dimension to a landscape which wa sformerly diverse and scattered, composed of elements found naturally nearby.

Much work is now being done to rectify the damage done by forestry plantations to the landscape, and as these plantation smature they add their own unique attractions of majestic mature trees supporting a diversity of flora and fauna.