Ancient woodland with a relatively simple management history. 62.5 acres in the SW still have an essentially medieval form of woodland management in full working order. The rest is controlled by the Forestry Commission and has, since 1959, been very heavily planted with conifers. The wood has been so-called since C15 and has had its present area at least since C17. It was one of the great manorial woods of the De Veres, Earls of Oxford - who kept wild boar in it (the boar was their rebus, used as crest and seal) until the time of Henry VIII, according to a survey of 1598 (see sources 2 and 3). The wood has a remarkably sinuous and irregular boundary with substantial bank, external ditch, and massive elm coppice stools, and is remarkably complete, standing some 3ft higher than the surrounding fields. There is a lack of internal earthworks that might indicate former field divisions. A trackway is preserved within the wood, probably pre-dating it (see 8719). <1> <2> <3><6>

Site Management: = SW part is a coppice wood, trees felled at intervals on an irregular rotation of 20-40 yrs and allowed to grow again from the stumps or `stools' to produce crops of poles. A properly planned increase in public recreation should not seriously interfere with the historical or biological features of the wood. Arrangements should be made to concentrate potentially disturbing activities in designated parts, eg Garnett's Wood, which is less important biologically and less attractive. <1>

Site Assessment = Before 1959, it would have been one of the most interesting woods in Eastern England. Unfortunately, the two-thirds which have been replanted were probably the most interesting part. Even so, the SW part is one of the more important woods in Essex and is eminently worthy of preservation. <1>

Photo of 1598 map <4>

Before 1959, it would have been one of the most interesting woods in eastern England. Unfortunately, the two-thirds which have been replanted were probably the most archaeologically interesting part. Even so, the south-west part is one of the most important woods in essex and is eminetly worthy of preservation. The area under the control of ECC is managed in a sympathetic way for preservation of archaeological remains and little can be suggested to improve this situation. The area under the control of the Forestry Commission would benefit from archaeological advice. <5>

Please see Associated Files for information on the ecology of Chalkney Wood.