Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna in the wood have been managed to varying degrees by humans through the ages.
Predominantly an oak, hornbeam and holly wood, Highgate Wood is also home to more than 50 other tree and shrub species which have self-seeded there. The Wild Service Tree, a rare deciduous tree with brown berries, can be found in Highgate Wood. Presence of the Wild Service Tree is commonly taken as an indicator of ancient woodland.
71 different species of bird have been recorded, alongside foxes, grey squirrels, at least four (Pipistrelle, Natterer's Bat, Common Noctule and the rare Leisler's Bat) and as many as seven species of bat, 180 species of moth, 12 species of butterfly and 80 species of spider.
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—Louis Aragon (18971982)