The surprisingly extensive woodland on the east edge of the campus developed on the footprint of the old Whiteknights Estate’s ‘Wilderness’ garden, which would have had a more formal layout. Remnants of the original Wilderness can still be seen – for example if you look to the right soon after passing this sign you can see a row of mature Yew trees. Management includes removal of low-value invasive shrubs such as Laurel and Rhododendron and their replacement with new planting of native tree species. Other work such as coppicing is carried out to encourage ground flora. Dead wood is retained either as standing trunks or in stacks, both of which are fantastic habitat for invertebrates including several notable species of beetle.
