Butterdean Wood

This mixed woodland lies on a broad ridge of flat land near to the village of Gladsmuir, Haddington, East Lothian. Woodland is thought to have existed on this site since at least 1865, when it appeared on the first Ordnance Survey map, although it has been repeatedly felled and replanted since then. Ownership of Butterdean Wood is divided between East Lothian Council and Woodland Trust Scotland. The northern part of the wood, adjoined by a car park, is mixed woodland and is owned and maintained by the council and a path network gives good access to the whole complex. The remainder of the wood is part conifer and part mixed woodland, where broadleaved trees predominate with a scattering of veteran trees throughout. Butterdean is one of the larger woods in the area (approx. 54ha in total) and forms an integral part of a mosaic of woodland and shelterbelts. Thinning of conifers has opened up the site and encouraged the natural regeneration of broadleaved trees and is encouraging the development of woodland ground flora species such as wood sorrel and braod buckler fern. Within the Trust’s ownership the woodland is best described in 2 parts, east and west. The area west of the main ride from Hodges Farm is predominantly coniferous, with a scattering of broadleaves throughout with some in slightly larger groups particularly along the western boundary. Due to the wet nature of the wood substantial pockets of wind throw are appearing which at present are slowly regenerating with birch and ash, with levels of mammal browsing remaining within acceptable limits. Conifers are a mix of Scots pine, Sitka and Norway spruce, Douglas fir, Western hemlock, larch with occasional Western red cedar and Lawson cypress. In the eastern section, the conifers have been less successful, leading to woodland dominated by broadleaves. The conifers occur in groups or as individual trees throughout this area with many of the larger groups felled during the period of the previous plan. The wood can be enjoyed by visitors on foot, bicycle or horseback with six entrances providing access. Over 5km of paths, some of which are surfaced, allow exploration with several linking to the local footpath network. An information board in the car park at the main entrance, to the north, gives details of waymarked trails. The nearest bus stop is at Gladsmuir.