Stara Woods: Introduction

[This page is in the earliest stages of development: 1 December 2005]

Introduction

Stara Woods is the collective name given to three woods in rural eastern Cornwall to the south east of Bodmin Moor. Stara Woods is also the name of a plan to develop a sustainable arboricultural and social project.

Stara Woods comprises three woods, each quite different in character, resulting in great diversity in a relatively small area. Each of the woods is roughly 14 acres in size.

The Woods

Colquite Wood, the most readily accessible, has a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf trees. The beautiful mature douglas fir and sitka spruce, over 70 years old, are amongst the oldest and largest in the county, and those along the river give a cathedral-like quality to the public footpath that runs through them. There is a small well to the right of the footpath as it winds up the hill towards the stile by Colpit Cottage, where the public footpath ends. A discretionary path cleared and maintained by the Parish Council runs back along the upper part of the wood to a kissing gate above the lane. This part of the wood begins largely as birch and sweet chestnut, with a plantation of young conifers, then runs into a section with a distinctly ‘upland’ feel: rocky outcrops, heather, gorse, and young conifers. Further on again the path enters the main planting of mature douglas firs, through which glimpses of Sharp Tor and the Cheesewring can be seen.

Across the River Lynher lie Broad Wood and Treovis Wood, at present accessible only from Colquite Wood via a fallen sweet chestnut tree that will eventually be made into a real bridge. Broad Wood is a steeply-sloping coniferous wood, mainly douglas firs and norway spruce along the riverbank, and some larch up at the top. Broadleaf trees are confined mainly to the margins of this wood.

The narrow footpath upstream along the riverbank leads to Treovis Wood. The character changes markedly, for this is more ancient broadleaf woodland. The riverside path eventually leads to the confluence of Shales Brook with the River Lynher. The brook, which forms the boundary between Treovis Wood and Botternell Wood, is a delight. Further upstream are some beautiful cascades and pools and, on a broader sweep of the brook, a very durable cairn. This wood is a peaceful, tranquil place, and the plan is to keep it that way.

All three woods host a variety of flora and fauna, the latter including roe deer, badgers and foxes. There may be otters in the river, and both dippers and kingfishers have been seen. Unfortunately, there is also evidence of mink. Part of the management plan is to survey comprehensively the flora and fauna, and to produce information leaflets from the findings. Volunteers with skill, knowledge and enthusiasm in this regard would be most welcome.

Contact

To find out more either telephone Anne Hughes on [+44-1-579] (01-579) 362-068, or e-mail:

annehug@totalise.co.uk

Stara Woods Sitemap

Peter Hughes Introduction