Irregular silviculture and stand structural effects on the plant community in an ancient semi-natural woodland

•Woodland vascular plant data and habitat measures was collected from 120 woodland sampling plots representative of 3 stand management types.•Comparisons includedIrregular silviculture, a new silvicultural practice in UK broad-leaf woods.•A similar pattern of woodland plant community was found between Irregular silviculture and Coppice management.•Habitat structural complexity was greatest for both Coppice andIrregular and differed significantly compared to Limited Intervention stands.•Stands under irregular management exhibit habitat characteristics which retain ancient woodland plants.