In 1909 part of the woodland was donated to the National Trust by George Alfred Wills, to prevent development of the city beside the gorge following the building of the Leigh Woods suburb. Areas not owned by the National Trust have since been taken over by the Forestry Commission. Rare trees include multiple species of "Sorbus" with at least nine native and four imported species. Bristol rockcress ("Arabis scabra") which is unique to the Avon Gorge can be seen flowering in April; various species of orchids and western spiked speedwell ("Veronica spicata") are common in June and July. It is a national nature reserve and is included in the Avon Gorge Site of Special Scientific Interest.