This large area of salt steppes/clay slopes hosts interesting and relatively undisturbed communities of various trees of national and international importance.

An interesting woodland is found at Rdum ta’ Kililu, characterised by various old naturalised archaeophytic and native trees, including naturalised pears (lanġas), wild plums (pruna), almonds (lewża), wild apples (tuffieħ), lemon and citrus trees (ċitru), hawthorns (żagħrun), pomegranates (rummien), olive trees (żebbuġ) and naturalised grape vines (dielja).

A large number of common hawthorns (żagħrun), are located at l-Irdum tas-Surgu while the escarpment under the plateau, known as Tal-Gabdol, is covered with large specimens of the endemic Maltese salt tree (siġra tal-irmied).

A large population of archaeophytic trees of cultivated origin are located at Rdum tax-Xagħra, together with a large population of old chaste trees (siġra tal-virgi).

An assemblage, with the very rare crown-vetch (koronilla), is known to populate the Għajn Damma/Il-Milħa area.

The coastal woodland communities, frequent along the coastal part of this area include the native stations of the rare African tamarisk (bruk) and the chaste tree.

This Natura 2000 site is designated as an area of ecological importance, a site of scientific importance, a nature reserve and special area of conservation of international importance.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority 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.