Quarry Wood – High Bickington

Quarry Wood is High Bickington's Community Woodland, which extends to about 6 acres, and was initially planted by volunteers in January 2005.

The woodland provides shelter, timber products, carbon reduction, a space for people to walk and enjoy the countryside away from traffic, somewhere for wildlife to flourish close to the village and for children (and adults) to learn about the environment and traditional crafts.

Quarry Wood is looked after by a group of volunteers on behalf of High Bickington Community Property Trust. It is very much a community woodland, provided by and for the community, and looked after by the community and everyone who comes in to enjoy it.

From the open spaces at the top of the field can be seen some fine views across North Devon and beyond. Dartmoor to the south and Exmoor to the north east are clearly visible when the weather is fine. To the west is Huntshaw Cross radio mast and the sharp eyed may be able to pick out the church towers of Roborough (south west) and Yarnscombe (north west).

22 different tree species, all broadleaved except a few Scots Pine, have been planted in areas divided by curving paths to give a natural look to the wood.

The centre circle (marked by the tall ‘predator post’) contains an oak tree raised from an acorn from High Bickington churchyard, flanked by two Devon Whitebeams, also grown from local seed. Three large blocks around the centre contain oak and ash, with a variety of smaller trees and shrubs alongside the paths.

On both sides of the wood are areas of hazel which will be coppiced to provide material for local craftsmen such as hurdle makers. Towards the bottom are three varieties of willows and some alder, which should thrive in the damper ground.

A special section has been planted by children from the primary school. The whole wood is a valuable educational resource for these and future generations of children. There are plans to build a new school between the wood and the village. In the top corners are clumps of Scots Pine which will, in a few years' time, become features in the landscape visible from several miles away.

Quarry Wood was until January 2005 Quarry Field. The wildlife of the field is still much as it was before the tree planting.

It will take a few years before woodland species of bird, mammal, insect and flower start to take over from the farmland species. Buzzards and owls are occasionally seen hunting for rabbits and mice. One day the trees might provide nest sites for them.

The tall post in the centre is for birds of prey to perch on. Large nest boxes have been installed for Little Owls, and smaller ones for birds such as blue tits, in the mature trees around the edge.

Badgers are in the area - their runs can be seen in the hedge banks where they come into the field at night to forage for food. They too may move in when there's more undergrowth to give them cover. The butterflies and other insects seen in summer are typical meadow and hedgerow species and should increase with the greater variety of wildflowers that develops.

Volunteers are recording the flowers that are seen through the year and noting the changes that take place as the trees grow and provide shade and new habitats.

Photo Gallery

Tree Species at Quarry Wood - High Bickington

Since 2011 EFORESTS has worked with the land owners and local volunteers to plant 606 new native tree species.

The following tree species were planted on the site:

IMPORTANT VISITOR INFO – Take only photos. Leave only footsteps.

To keep the woodland as natural as possible we don’t label individual trees and we ask that visitors do not place their own plaques, labels, flowers, etc in the woodland. Each tree we plant should be seen as part of a natural woodland.

Before visiting this woodland, please read our Frequently Asked Questions page, which gives you helpful tips about your tree and visitor guidance.

Dedicate a tree to be planted in Devon or elsewhere in the UK.