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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use map information to decide whether a woodland is semi-natural ancient woodland, replanted ancient woodland, or a recent plantation.

      Key learning points

      1. Maps provide a range of clues that can give us information about how land is and has been managed.
      2. Tree symbols on maps are also useful in distinguishing broadleaf trees from conifer plantations.
      3. Semi-natural ancient woodlands are of high ecological and heritage value.

      Keywords

      • Forest - A forest is a large area full of trees

      • Plantation - An area of land on which one kind of crop is grown, e.g. trees for wood

      • Conifer - Conifers are a group of trees and shrubs, usually evergreen, that have fruit called cones, and needle or scale-shaped leaves

      • Boundary - A boundary is a physical or imaginary line that marks the edge of a particular area

      Common misconception

      Coniferous forests are all recently planted.

      There are some remaining ancient Caledonian pinewood forests in Scotland which are coniferous.

      Teacher tip

      Task B can be checked using either the Natural England, NatureScot, DataMapWales or Northern Ireland Open Data Publication on Ancient woodland. These maps identify ancient woodland in the four nations.

      Equipment

      OS map of the local area. Access to Natural England, NatureScot, DataMapWales or Northern Ireland Open Data Geoportal (arcgis.com).

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Trees help to keep temperatures __________ on very hot days in urban areas.

      Correct answer: cooler
      warmer
      the same

      Q2.
      Trees can help to flooding.

      Correct Answer: prevent, stop, reduce

      Q3.
      Trees efficiently remove harmful pollutants from the air while supplying us with clean __________ at the same time.

      carbon dioxide
      Correct answer: oxygen
      sulphur

      Q4.
      Woods and trees can improve our health and wellbeing in many ways, including:

      Correct answer: reducing stress
      Correct answer: improving mood
      helping us earn more money
      Correct answer: boosting the immune system

      Q5.
      To help identify a species of tree, we could look at:

      when it was planted
      Correct answer: its overall appearance, size, shape and bark
      Correct answer: its leaves and needles
      Correct answer: its fruits or seeds, e.g conkers.

      Q6.
      If the foliage on the tree is needles or scales then you are probably looking at a...

      Correct Answer: conifer

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      A __________ is a large area full of trees.

      tree
      wood
      Correct answer: forest

      Q2.
      __________ are a group of trees and shrubs, usually evergreen, that have fruit called cones, and needle or scale-shaped leaves.

      Native
      Correct answer: Conifer
      Boadleaf

      Q3.
      What is an area of land on which one kind of crop is grown, e.g. trees for wood.

      Correct answer: plantation
      wood
      forest

      Q4.
      How much woodland has been allowed to grow undisturbed in the UK?

      all of it
      most of it
      Correct answer: very little of it

      Q5.
      To be classed as ‘ancient woodland’, trees must have existed in the same location since...

      Correct answer: 1600 AD
      1800 AD
      2000 AD

      Q6.
      What type of woodland does this describe? ‘Woodland that has had continuous cover since 1600, but older trees have been removed and other trees planted.’

      semi-natural ancient woodland
      Correct answer: replanted ancient woodland
      recent plantation

      To help you plan your 5 geography lesson on: Mapping trees locally, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...