Castle Coole ASSI
| Site No | ASSI 350 |
|---|---|
| Area | 163.83 (ha) |
| Declared Date | 23/03/2011 |
| Confirmed Date | |
| County | Fermanagh |
| Council(s) | Fermanagh DC |
| Keywords | Parkland habitat and associated species |
Castle Coole has been designated an ASSI because of its parkland habitat and associated species. Historic parklands are generally characterised by old, open-grown trees and shrubs which have significant amounts of standing and fallen dead wood. These old open-grown trees provide a specialist habitat for rare and uncommon invertebrates, lichens and fungi.
A wide variety of trees and shrubs are present in the parkland, with many veteran trees and some ancient trees. Ancient trees usually have large girths, hollow trunks, large amounts of dead wood and often have a characteristic “stag headed” appearance due to their upper canopy dying back. All ancient trees are also referred to as veteran trees, as are younger trees which have some of the characteristics of ancient trees.
Oak is the dominant parkland tree species with Beech, Horse-chestnut, Ash, Hawthorn and Sycamore. There are occasional specimens of species such as Walnut and London Plane. There are also some spectacular avenues of trees including an avenue of Oak along the main entrance.
The parkland trees and shrubs support a high quality invertebrate fauna. Of particular note are the beetles which are associated with the deadwood and bracket fungi on the trees. These include a number of rare beetles which breed in bracket fungi. Decaying wood also provides habitat for larvae of the rhinoceros beetle, which creates characteristic tunnels through the wood. Other notable invertebrates include barkflies which are found on the lichens covering the trees and a digger wasp which nests in old beetle holes in tree trunks and preys on aphids in the canopy.
The parkland trees and shrubs at Castle Coole support a variety of bracket fungi which cause decay in trees. Decay is part of the natural aging process of a tree and eventually creates hollow cavities, which in turn provide habitat for a wide range of animals. Bracket fungi recorded on the trees at Castle Coole include Southern Bracket, Oak Bracket and Beefsteak Fungus. In some grassland areas where management is less intensive, typical grassland fungi are found including Crimson Waxcap and Meadow Coral.
In places, where the tree canopy is denser, a woodland flora has developed with typical species such as Wood Anemone, Bluebell, Pignut, Primrose and Lords-and-Ladies and the notable Bird’s-nest Orchid.
Further diversity is provided through marginal vegetation fringing Lough Coole with species such as Common Reed and Water Horsetail. In places, this grades into areas of wet grassland with species such as Crested Dog’s-tail, Sweet Vernal-grass, Quaking-grass, Carnation Sedge, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Meadow Vetchling and Meadowsweet.
