Laydean is a mainly coniferous woodland situation in the Hampshire Weald, within the boundaries of the South Downs National Park. The main crop  is Western Hemlock ( a variety of spruce originating from North America and now common in British and European timber forests.

The crop was planted in the 1950s by the Forestry Commission at a time when Britain was heavily dependent on imported timber and the Commission was tasked with producing more timber for home consumption.

The spruce trees are now mature, with some heights up to 35m and girths of up to 40cms. 

Other trees have self generated as the spruce has been thinned, and the wood also includes ash, oak, alder, beech and birch. However these are left in situ as the conifers are felled and new species of hardwoods are planted to create a more diverse and light woodland for the future. new species being introduced so far include wild cherry, maple, small leafed lime, hornbeam, sweet chestnut, walnut  and willow.