This very old long-established forest community is typified by various trees, which include a number of rare, threatened and protected species.

The population of holm oak (ballut) in the area probably represents the oldest oak trees in the Maltese islands. These trees form one of the four Maltese forest remnants that date back more or less 1,000 years ago.

The forest remnant also hosts about one-third of the Maltese population of the rare Mediterranean buckthorn (alaternu), as well as some of the oldest local carob trees (ħarruba), olive trees (żebbuġ), mastic trees (deru), pomegranates (rummien) and the common hawthorn (żagħrun).

Also present in the area is a fine set of Aleppo pine trees (żnuber), which although originally planted years ago, are now naturalised. The fauna of the forest remnant is also unique, and includes many endemic, threatened and/or otherwise important species. This Natura 2000 site has been protected since 1933, and includes trees of antiquarian importance.

Mepa declared this site as a Tree Protected Area on May 24, in accordance with the provisions of the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations (2011) as per Government Notice number 473/11.