Dartmoor National Park Authority
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Wistman’s Wood NNR (SX6177)
This National Nature Reserve is one of the most famous woodlands in Britain noted for its gnarled oak trees and luxuriant mosses and lichens. The trees are Pedunculate Oak (common in lowland Britain) rather than Sessile Oak which is more common in woodlands on Dartmoor. Mosses, liverworts and lichens are all classed as ‘lower plants’ as they do not produce flowers. Altogether 47 species of mosses and liverworts and 119 species of lichen have been recorded here. One of the rarest lichens Bryoria smithii is found only on four trees here and a few in Black-a-Tor Copse (also on Dartmoor) and nowhere else in Britain! The wood is situated on a valley side near to Two Bridges. It is relatively easy to walk to the site but please respect this precious place and view it from the edges!
Page updated 27 August 2009
