Padmall Wood is a semi-natural ancient woodland and Local Nature Reserve (LNR) It extends on either side of the River Ravensbourne, immediately north of Ravensbourne Open Space. Today Padmall Wood is dominated by sweet chestnut, birch with some hazel. The sweet chestnut was planted in the 19th century and harvested every 15-20 years to supply the demand for hop poles and heavy hurdles. It is now used for post and rail fencing. Birch was traditionally used for broom handles and cotton reels. Hazel is a very versatile wood important in the past for walls in wattle and daub house walls and still used for wicker hurdles, hedging and bean poles.