Silver-washed Fritillary Habitat

[PhilBJohnson]

Beech Woodland, Silver-washed Fritillary and larval foodplants, Violets.
It was considered that young Ash (possibly not "ancient") Ash and all Beech trunk bark might be unsuitably smooth, for first instar Silver-washed Fritillary larvae hibernation, so were not evolutionarily attractive to ovipositing females.
An Ash woodland might have been rotationally coppiced, not allowing a suitable rugged, old trunk to mature and Pines, if they were used in Sweden, by first instar SWF, at a latitude further north than Scotland, then sometimes tree spacing might have been further apart for ground florae, violet light/space (not too dark and dry), but possibly with a lower Forestry yield, per given area.

Leaving old pollarded native Oak standing (about or below 5m in height) was believed to be of benefit to wildlife at Bookham Commons

“The Silver-washed Fritillary is found primarily in deciduous woodland, although it will occasionally use coniferous woodland or a mix of the two”
and:
“Oak woodland is preferred, with Ash and Beech woodlands appearing unsuitable”

Reference: Page 198 Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies, 2019 Peter Eeles



Was significant Beech leaf fall less suitable, than other deciduous
trees, for violets to grow through, given their autumn leaf longevity before natural decomposition?