CAEL are working with landowners Tommy and Robbie Dale to create a new woodland at East Linton

Introduction

CAEL in association with Robbie and Tommy Dale and Caledonian Horticulture’s One Planet Pledge are really excited to have the opportunity to plant a new species-rich scrub woodland – “Twa Burns Wood” – between Drylaw Hill and Stonelaws Farm, to the north of the village, as part of the brother’s nature conservation efforts on Drylaw Hill. This is a wonderful opportunity and we are really grateful to Tommy and Robbie for this opportunity.

Focus

The focus of the Twa Burns Wood project is biodiversity and this ties in perfectly with CAEL’s biodiversity theme. This is a great opportunity for the whole community to get involved in the planting and aftercare of this new wood.

The site

The site measures 2 hectares (5 acres) and will join Black's Park Wood at Newbyth to Ashfield House Wood, thus providing continuous tree/scrub cover all the way from the B1377 at Ashfield right across to Ravensheugh Sands, via Oak Wood and Binning Wood. 

The project ties in to the north with Colin Hunter’s work at Stonelaws Farm via the Kamehill strip, and to the south, further enhancing conservation work on Drylaw Hill itself, where ponds have been reinstated and replacement hedges planted by Robbie and Tommy, with existing CAEL involvement among other volunteer groups. Increased biodiversity in Twa Burns Wood will also contributes to the success of Buglife Scotland’s John Muir Way Pollinator Way project (John Muir Pollinator Way | Buglife projects)

Together, much work is being done to encourage ground nesting birds and biodiversity in general on Drylaw Hill. 

Location

Proposals

The aim is to plant about 500-800 trees with a high survival rate, perhaps over several growing seasons, in a natural layout of varying density across the wood.

The wood will reach maturity with 6-12m high trees, both in groups and free-standing, with occasional clearings. Dead wood and thinnings will be allowed to accumulate which, together with the planting pattern, will encouraging different layers of vegetation cover to develop and a wide range of habitats and ecological niches for plants, animals and insects to form. Biodiversity will be measured before planting and monitored over time as part of the effort.

Conditions permitting, a range of native species common in lowland mixed deciduous woodlands will be planted, including: rowan, hawthorn, alder, crab apple, elder, blackthorn, willow, holly, dog rose, and cherry. These are not tall species and this is deliberate, to avoid creating vantage points from which crows and birds of prey could spot ground nesting birds like lapwings on and around Drylaw Hill.

CAEL’s role

CAEL will organise the planting teams, pass on training (it’s very easy) and coordinate the planting activities, and then monitor aftercare activities until the tress are established.

Caledonian Horticulture, Proven Plants and Tyninghame Sawmill

CAEL are working closely with Tommy Dale & Kevin Shearer (both in high vis below, Tommy with stakes) of Caledonian Horticulture and Kevin’s brother Craig Shearer (rainbow!) of Proven Plants who are providing land, plant stock, tree protection and advice. This is part of Caledonian Horticulture’s ‘One Planet Pledge’. Stuart Brown of Tyninghame Sawmill donated all the wooden stakes in the photos. Crucially, the Shearers are helping to organise and direct the actual planting activities on site on planting days. We really appreciate your help! Thanks everyone!

Timescales

We will be starting planting in March 2021 and this will continue as weather and growth cycles permit, probably until late spring. There is also the possibility of follow-on work on hedging and further tree planting in the area.

Download an information sheet for planters here.