Llandegla Forest
Encyclopedia
Llandegla Forest is a forest
of planted conifers covering 6.5 square kilometres in Denbighshire
, north-east Wales. It is situated to the south-east of the village of Llandegla
at the north-western edge of Ruabon Moors
. The forest is owned by UPM Tilhill and planting began in the early 1970s. The trees are mostly Sitka Spruce
with a smaller area of larch
.
In the middle of the forest lies Pendinas Reservoir . It was constructed in the late nineteenth century by Brymbo Water Company to provide water for the local area. It is currently managed by Dee Valley Water
.
The forest is used for a range of recreation
al activities including mountain-biking and walking. The Offa's Dyke Path
, a long-distance footpath passes through the forest. Fishing activity takes place at the reservoir.
The forest and adjacent moorland are important habitats for the Black Grouse
which is declining in many parts of England and Wales. The birds are increasing here due to a programme of special land management. A bird hide
has been constructed overlooking the birds' Lek (mating arena) to allow visitors to watch them.
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
of planted conifers covering 6.5 square kilometres in Denbighshire
Denbighshire
Denbighshire is a county in north-east Wales. It is named after the historic county of Denbighshire, but has substantially different borders. Denbighshire has the distinction of being the oldest inhabited part of Wales. Pontnewydd Palaeolithic site has remains of Neanderthals from 225,000 years...
, north-east Wales. It is situated to the south-east of the village of Llandegla
Llandegla
Llandegla or Llandegla-yn-Iâl is a village and community in the county of Denbighshire in Wales. In the 2001 census, the community had a population of 494.- Name :...
at the north-western edge of Ruabon Moors
Ruabon Moors
Ruabon Moors are an area of upland moorland in Wales to the west of Ruabon and Wrexham. They lie partly within Wrexham county borough and partly within Denbighshire....
. The forest is owned by UPM Tilhill and planting began in the early 1970s. The trees are mostly Sitka Spruce
Sitka Spruce
Picea sitchensis, the Sitka Spruce, is a large coniferous evergreen tree growing to 50–70 m tall, exceptionally to 95 m tall, and with a trunk diameter of up to 5 m, exceptionally to 6–7 m diameter...
with a smaller area of larch
Larch
Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae. Growing from 15 to 50m tall, they are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the north and high on mountains further south...
.
In the middle of the forest lies Pendinas Reservoir . It was constructed in the late nineteenth century by Brymbo Water Company to provide water for the local area. It is currently managed by Dee Valley Water
Dee Valley Water
Dee Valley Water / Dŵr Dyffryn Dyfrdwy is a company which supplies drinking water services to parts of North East Wales and parts of North West England...
.
The forest is used for a range of recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
al activities including mountain-biking and walking. The Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path
Offa's Dyke Path is a long distance footpath along the Welsh-English border. Opened in 1971, it is one of Britain's premier National Trails and draws walkers from throughout the world...
, a long-distance footpath passes through the forest. Fishing activity takes place at the reservoir.
The forest and adjacent moorland are important habitats for the Black Grouse
Black Grouse
The Black Grouse or Blackgame is a large bird in the grouse family. It is a sedentary species, breeding across northern Eurasia in moorland and bog areas near to woodland, mostly boreal...
which is declining in many parts of England and Wales. The birds are increasing here due to a programme of special land management. A bird hide
Bird hide
A bird hide is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife, especially birds, at close quarters. Although hides were once built chiefly as hunting aids, they are now commonly found in parks and wetlands for the use of bird watchers, ornithologists and other observers who do not...
has been constructed overlooking the birds' Lek (mating arena) to allow visitors to watch them.