Hagg Wood is an area of woodland of approximately 107 acres (43Ha), to the east of Dunnington, towards the River Derwent, within the city of York at Ordnance Survey reference SE 685 526. It is situated at around 25m above sea level.
Hagg Wood has an ancient
history. In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was recorded as woodland
pasture. It supported livestock and the woodland floor was covered by
grassland. The wood has been managed for a variety of products,
according to the needs of the time, including timber for building,
forage for animals and shelter for game. After being heavily felled for
timber during the Second World War it was replanted by the Forestry
Commission in the 1950s, largely with the conifers we see today. The
wood still has many historical features to discover as you walk around,
including evidence of prehistoric roundhouses, old ditches and several
bomb craters.
Hagg Wood is a very special place for wildlife. If it is quiet you may spot deer, badgers or foxes. Many of the plants found are associated with its ancient woodland status. Bluebells, primroses, yellow pimpernel, dog violets, wood anemone and wood sorrel can all be seen growing along the woodland rides and clearings. .At different times of the year, you can hear woodpecker, cuckoo, wood-pigeon, tawny owl, jay and chiff chaff and you may also see goldcrest. In addition, Hagg Wood provides a home for a host of fungi, insects and other creepy crawlies.
The wood was established as a Community Woodland in 2003. The Forestry Commission manages the wood in consultation with the Friends of Hagg Wood. The long-term objective is to restore the wood as native semi-natural woodland, including oak, ash and other broad-leafed trees and native woodland shrubs, as well as maintaining some of the larger conifers.
