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Hainault Forest Website |
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Written
and Designed by Brian Ecott |
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Topography
of the Forest |
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Much of the low
lying land borders the Romford Road, and consists of London Clay laid down under deep seas following the Cretaceous
period, 65 million years ago. Much of the area was farmed during the second
world war, later to become playing fields, and now grassland for recreation and
picnics. One area was set aside as a tree nursery for the Greater London
Council, and a number of trees not normally associated with woodland can be
found. Other areas on the clay have developed Hawthorn scrub, and this has been
invaded by Michaelmas Daisy. A lake is shown on the maps of 1774 but has been
much enlarged. Water from the lake becomes Seven Kings Water, an important
waterway through the Borough of Redbridge. |
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The uppermost
layer of London Clay was laid down in much shallower seas and is known as
Claygate Beds. It consists of clay and
sand particles. It forms the ridge of Hog Hill and Dog Kennel Hill and the
larger part of the north of the Forest.
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Lying on the
Claygate beds to the north are Bagshot Beds forming the
higher points in the Forest at Crabtree Hill 80m.and Cabin Hill 94m., which are
gravely sands laid down in shallow seas. Much of the area is grazed by rabbits,
and consists of Mat grass Nardus stricta and Sheep's sorrel Rumex
acetosella showing its acidic nature. Many of the forest's mature Beech trees
Fagus sylvatica are found on Cabin Hill. |
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With thanks to David Martin
for kindly drawing the topography map. |
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Springs are to be found within the Forest area. The water from Lambourne
Well drains into the River Rom. Roe's well is said to be named after the Roe
family that have remained in the area from the twelfth century. |
| The last two
geological areas are the result of the Anglian Ice Age about a half million
years ago. As the ice moved southward clay, chalk and flints were deposited
beneath the ice. The resultant Boulder Clay covers
much of Essex, with Hainault Forest as its southern boundary. It is a wet sticky
clay, rarely drying out even in summer. Ash Fraxinus excelsior favours
the boulder clay, as does Spindle Euonymus europaeus, and it supports a
good spring flora. The boulder clay extends a good way up Weddrell's plain the
towards Cabin Hill and is a favourite area to direct Cross Country Runs! Where
the grassland is managed alongside the Manor Road, a large area of Lady's
smock Cardamine pratensis is in full flower in the Spring. |
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A small area of
Glacial Sand is found in the forest by Chigwell Row Church.
The glacial sand
crosses the Romford Road into the recreation ground. In the forest the glacial
sand supports a heathland flora including Ling
Calluna vulgaris, Dwarf gorse Ulex minor and the related Petty whin
Genista anglica. At one time it was intended to graze this area with
sheep, but the area is now invaded with coarse grasses such as Deschampsia
caespitosa which need to be controlled. |
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To the south of
the present day Forest lie the Thames terraces, of which the Boyn Hill Gravel
is of economic importance. |