G8. Continue straight on alongside the boundary fence.
About half way along this boundary path, Farleigh Border, you will see the remains of a huge Oak that has been cut up. This was blown down by during Storm Eleanor in the first week of 2018. It completely blocked the path but was cleared within 2 days by Council contractors. Measurement of the girth of this tree suggests that it was between 110 and 120 years old.
Turn right at the next junction into Greenhill Way. Continue along this path eventually coming down the hill out of the wood and back to the car park.
The tree bearing the Greenhill way sign is a Cherry identified in the winter by its shiny bark with horizontal striations and bearing pink blossom in the spring. There are several other Cherry saplings around - look for the same bark.
The Sweet Chestnuts along this stretch have the characteristic twisted appearance of the bark. They were introduced into Britain by the Romans for their edible chestnuts. Look for a coppiced Sweet Chestnut tree with 3 trunks.
Just after the junction with Vincent Avenue there is a large Sycamore on the left - note the smooth green bark with upward pointing V marks. A little further down on the left are several Spindles with strange green flowers in early summer and equally strange pink berries in autumn/winter.
Just before you leave the wood into the field there are areas of more open woodland on both sides of the path. These were cleared recently by FSW taking out many invasive Sycamores and removing undergrowth to let in more light and encourage species diversification. To the right of the path there is a plaque on a Larch marking the Maruje Dale plantation. The name of the plantation was made up from the names of the young people who took part in a Youth Opportunities Scheme. During their training they covered coppicing and maintenance work and they were taught how to make benches and bird boxes with the wood. New trees were also planted - mainly beech. Also in this area, just behind the tree with the sign, are three Norway Spruce, evergreen conifers identified by their scaly bark and long cones.
We hope you enjoyed your walk in Selsdon Wood. Come back again soon!