Loughborough University Research Forest (LURF)

Loughborough University owns approximately 16 hectares of woodland located on the campus in Loughborough. The two main blocks of woodland consist of Burleigh Wood and Holywell Wood. Both these woodlands are ancient semi-natural woodland sites (ASNWs).

These woodlands comprise the Loughborough University Research Forest (LURF). There are 12 LURF plots distributed evenly within the four main compartments in Burleigh and Holywell Woods (three plots in each stand), each of which is 50 x 50 m. A number of environmental parameters, tree and woodland characteristics will be monitored in these plots. Over time these measurements will enable us to determine the response of woodlands to changes in climate and the impact of ‘Ash dieback‘.

Location

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The two woodlands comprise four main stands. These are: compartment 6 – naturally regenerated woodland (c. 70 years since clearing, containing Quercus petrea, Betula pendula and F. excelsior); compartment 5 - F. excelsior plantation (70 years since planting); compartment 1 – neglected F. excelsior coppice; and compartment 3 - Q. petrea woodland. The dominance of Ash in the woodlands means that they are under particular threat from Chalara dieback of Ash.