The copse was planted in 2012 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Seedlings were provided by the Woodland Trust, as part of a plan (which was achieved) to plant 6 million trees across the UK. The land was prepared and fenced by local volunteers, and the seedlings were planted by children from Pool School. The tree species include alder (Alnus glutinosa), cherry (Prunus avium), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), hazel (Corylus avellana), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and English oak from acorns collected in Windsor Great Park (Quercus robur).
There are other trees in the copse, such as sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), that are self-set. Once the saplings have grown up it is intended to remove the fencing from around the copse, so that everyone can wander amongst the trees. Before the trees grow up and shade out the other plants, the undergrowth is allowed to grow to provide flowers for butterflies and habitats for small mammals, although the climbing weeds are controlled annually to prevent them choking the saplings.
The area is named after the late Harry Wardman. Harry was made an Honorary Citizen of Pool in 2010 for his services to the Park. He was instrumental in the installation of the skate park, working with the youth of the parish, and the millpond delights are thanks to his imagination and hard work
Find out about native British trees at www.woodlandtrust.org/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees
