Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland BNG Units
High
Woodland and forest
Trusted by Developers and Landowners
What is
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland
A broadleaved woodland type dominated by native deciduous trees typical of the English lowlands. It includes stands with oak, birch, field maple and other natives, with a shrub layer and a distinctive ground flora. It is a priority habitat and scores highly in the metric when well managed.
Why It Matters for BNG
This habitat provides high distinctiveness woodland units and supports long term biodiversity gains. Woodland creation satisfies offsite and onsite BNG commitments with strong ecological outcomes.
Establishing or restoring native woodland secures high value BNG units and complements long term stewardship. Structured thinning, natural regeneration, and native planting maintain condition.
Where Is It Found?
• Lowland landscapes with ancient woodland blocks, farm woods and estate plantings
• River valleys, gentle slopes and enclosed farmland with hedgerow networks
• Around settlements and parklands where semi-natural woodland persists
How New Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland Is Created
Inputs
• Plant a mix of at least five native canopy or shrub species suited to local soils and climate (use Ecological Site Classification to guide choices).
• Include a shrub layer from the outset to build structure.
• Source planting material with strong biosecurity and local provenance where possible.
Management
• Protect from browsing so seedlings, saplings and young trees establish.
• Control competing vegetation during establishment without enriching soils.
• Plan for diversity of species and age classes to build resilience.
Landscape
• Site new woodland to connect existing woods, hedgerows and riparian strips.
• Design for graded edges, internal rides and glades so open space is present from the start.
• Retain uncultivated buffers to protect soils and ground flora.
Target Condition
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland in good condition will typically show:
• Three age classes present and a multi-storey or complex vertical structure
• Little or no browsing impact across the woodland
• No invasive non-native plants present
• Five or more native tree or shrub species, with more than 80 percent native cover in canopy and understorey
• Natural regeneration evident, from seedlings through to small pole trees
• Ten to twenty percent temporary open space distributed within the parcel
• Tree mortality at ten percent or less, with no high-risk pests or diseases
• Recognisable woodland ground flora, with ancient woodland indicators present
• At least two veteran trees per hectare and deadwood present in at least half of survey plots
• No nutrient enrichment or damaged ground
The BNG Value of
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland
• Distinctiveness: High
• Condition potential: Very strong where browsing, invasives and soil impacts are controlled and structure is restored
• Connectivity: Builds robust habitat networks across lowland farmed landscapes
• Time to target condition: About 15 years to reach Moderate, 30 years or more to reach Good
Species Typical of
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland
🌳 Canopy trees
• English oak (Quercus robur)
• Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
• Field maple (Acer campestre)
• Birch (Betula pendula, B. pubescens)
• Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata)
• Wild cherry (Prunus avium)
• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) in suitable areas
• Aspen (Populus tremula) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) at edges
• Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) now limited by ash dieback
🌿 Shrubs
• Hazel (Corylus avellana)
• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
• Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
• Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
• Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)
• Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
• Crab apple (Malus sylvestris)
🌸 Herbs and wildflowers
• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
• Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
• Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
• Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
• Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula)
• Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella)
• Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)
• Wood avens (Geum urbanum)
• Wood speedwell (Veronica montana)
• Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
🐦 Birds
• Lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor)
• Spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
• Mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
• Tree sparrow (Passer montanus)
🐇 Mammals
• Bats using tree cavities and edge corridors
• Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
🐝 Invertebrates
• Noble chafer (Gnorimus nobilis) where veteran fruiting trees occur
• A range of saproxylic beetles and pollinators associated with deadwood and rides
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland?
A priority habitat in England, typically dominated by native, broadleaved trees (like Oak, Ash, Beech, and Birch), forming a canopy that supports a diverse understorey and ground flora.
How is BNG measured here?
BNG uplift is calculated by assessing the condition of the woodland (using criteria like canopy structure, deadwood presence, and ground flora) and the distinctiveness (habitat value) of the type, usually requiring a site-specific survey.
How can I achieve BNG?
Enhancement (e.g., thinning non-native species, increasing structural diversity, managing invasive species) or Creation (planting new native woodland, ideally using local provenance stock).
What is the BNG target condition?
Typically aiming for a Good or Very Good condition, which involves diverse age structure, abundant deadwood, a rich understorey, and minimal non-native species presence.
What management is required?
Long-term management often involves phased felling/thinning, invasive species control, deer/herbivore protection, and potentially coppicing to maintain structural diversity.
Exploring Other Habitats?
Upland Hay Meadow
Upland hay meadows are species rich grasslands dominated by a mix of fine grasses and abundant herbaceous wildflowers such as sweet vernal-grass, wood crane’s-bill, great burnet, pignut, and lady’s mantles.
These meadows have developed through long term traditional management that combines light grazing with a late summer hay cut. Rare species including lesser butterfly-orchid and burnt orchid are sometimes found.
This habitat is a dense mix of grasses and a wide variety of wildflowers, with no single grass species dominating the vegetation.
Upland Calcareous Grassland
Upland calcareous grassland is a springy, species-rich habitat occurring above approximately 250–300 metres on lime-rich, or “base-rich,” soils. The habitat develops as a short, species rich sward of calcicolous grasses, herbs and orchids adapted to alkaline conditions and cooler upland climates
The grassland appears patchy and open, with fine grasses, colourful herbs and scattered rock outcrops. Wild thyme, common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil often grow alongside sheep’s fescue and upright brome, creating a varied mosaic.
Upland Acid Grassland
Upland Acid Grassland is a mix of fine grasses, mosses and small herbaceous plants adapted to low pH and limited nutrients. This habitat appears as an open grassy landscape, often dominated by mat grass or purple moor grass. Texture and color come from all patches of tormentil, heath bedstraw and scattered mosses.
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