Echline Community Woodland is a 0.3 hectares site situated in South Queensferry on the western side of the Forth Road Bridge approach road (A90). To see where it is on the map click here.
The site is bounded by the Forth Road Bridge, the B924, Echline housing estate and a patch of grassland to the south.
The woodland was planted in 1992 by more than 200 volunteers. The project was organized by committee comprised of representatives from: Scottish Wildlife Trust; Queensferry and Kirkliston Wildlife Group; South Queensferry Association; and South Queensferry Community Council (who are now the owners of the woodland). Miller Homes donated the ground as part of a larger area which was left undeveloped during the building of the Echline housing estate.
The site for the woodland was a former agricultural field consisting of deep brown-earth soil covered in rough grazing perennial sward. The site also had the remnants of a stone dyke which has since been restored by QEF.
The woodland was planted and maintained under the "Echline Community Woodland Management Proposal" developed by Dan Hunt. The plan split the site into four areas:
- Area A: Grassland strip
- Area B: Shrub species
- Area C: Smaller tree species
- Area D: Taller tree species
Map Of The Woodland
The species chosen are all native to South East Scotland except Scots Pine which was included for its winter landscape amenity value. The selection has a natural mixture of species balanced with species with high wildlife potential and good amenity value. The planting details of each area are:
Area A: Grassland Strip
This area was left unplanted initially. Subsequently, wildflowers have been add and a butterfly garden added.
Area B: Shrub Species
This area uses low shrub species for safety and includes berry-bearing species for bird food.
275 | Crataegus monogyna | Hawthorn |
| 90 | Viburnum opulus | Guelder Rose |
| 120 | Prunus spinosa | Blackthorn |
| 60 | Sambucus nigra | Elder |
| 60 | Cytisus scoparius | Broom |
Area C: Smaller Tree Species
The smaller trees here are intended to form a lower final canopy at the edge and north of the woodland.
140 | Betula pubescens | Downy Birch |
| 60 | Sorbus aucuparia | Rowan |
| 30 | Prunus avium | Cherry |
| 60 | Populus tremula | Aspen |
| 15 | Ilex aquifolium | Holly |
Area D: Larger Tree Species
This forms the core of the woodland, blending into the semi-mature trees on the Forth Road Bridge boundary
70 | Fraxinus excelsior | Ash |
| 45 | Betula pendula | Silver Birch |
| 10 | Sorbus aucuparia | Rowan |
| 50 | Pinus sylvestris | Scots Pine |
| 70 | Quercus robur | Common oak |
The plants were supplied by the Trees Company, Balloch, at a cost of £422. Tree guards were not considered necessary as the woodland has no direct links to any wildlife corridors and there was no evidence in the vicinity of grazing damage due to rabbits, dear or hares.
Spring and Bluebells
Planting was carried out by local school and community groups under the guidance of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. A simple pit planting technique was used which proved to be very successful.