This guide deals with the management of the ancient semi-natural woods dominated by oak or beech which are found on strongly acid soils mainly in southern England and south-east Wales. It also includes guidance for those woods of this type which have become dominated by birch or sweet chestnut. These woods are concentrated on the acid brown earths and podzols developed in the sands, gravels and very acid loams and clay loams of the Weald, London basin, Hampshire basin, chalkland plateaux and some kinds of superficial deposit.
Though they are commonest in south-east England, where beech is native, oakwoods can be found on strongly acid soils in most parts of lowland Britain. There are estimated to be a total of 15,000–25,000 hectares of ancient semi-natural woods of this type.
